In a surprising announcement, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Safe and Supportive Schools announced the closure of the Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) Technical Assistance (TA) Center, effective Thursday, September 18, 2025.
This decision has sent ripples of concern across the education safety community, as the center has been pivotal in supporting the safety and emergency preparedness of K-12 schools, districts, colleges, and universities nationwide.
Key Details of the REMS TA Center Closure
The closure of the REMS TA Center was communicated to subject matter experts through an email sent last Friday. For years the center has been instrumental in developing preparedness capacity across educational institutions, focusing on prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery efforts. It served as a crucial hub for information dissemination on emergencies, providing invaluable resources through its website.
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Gary L. Sigrist, Jr., CEO and President of Safeguard Risk Solutions, expressed his dismay at the closure, stating, “My connection with the Center goes back to 2008, when South Western City School District was awarded the REMS Grant. The training, support, and resources their team provided were truly invaluable.”
His sentiment echoes concern among other school and college safety experts who have relied on the center’s resources.
Lack of Clarity Surrounding the Decision
The decision to close the REMS TA Center has left many questions unanswered. It remains unclear why such a critical service is being discontinued, and there is no information on the future availability of the training materials and webinars hosted on the REMS TA website. Furthermore, the responsibility for providing updated information and training, as well as the funding for these efforts, is yet to be determined.
Campus Safety attempted to reach out to the REMS TA Center for comments but has not received a response.
Background and Services of the REMS TA Center
Established to enhance the safety and emergency readiness of educational institutions, the REMS TA Center has played a significant role in supporting schools, colleges, and universities. The center offered an extensive range of services, including technical assistance, community collaboration, guidance documents, and specialized training packages. Its resources were tailored to align with federal, state, and local emergency management practices, benefiting educational agencies and their community partners.
Potential Implications and Future Developments
The closure of the REMS TA Center raises concerns about the continuity of critical support for educational institutions in managing safety and emergency preparedness. While some states are reportedly establishing their own school safety centers, the transition may not be seamless.
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“The encouraging news is that I am now seeing many states establish their own school safety centers, offering localized assistance that aligns with each state’s laws and policies,” Sigrist noted.
Nonetheless, the preservation and accessibility of the wealth of information available on the REMS TA website remain a priority for schools and practitioners nationwide.
