The success of the Disaster Science Consortium, Disaster Science Operations Center (DSOC), and our academic degree programs all hinge on the integration and continued support of our partners. Partnerships include entities both internal and external to WKU. Internal partners include academic colleges, athletics, and WKU Police. External Emergency Response Partners include Warren County and Kentucky Emergency Management, Bowling Green and Warren County Fire Departments.

All funds collected through our partnership programs are applied to purchase equipment for DSOC and to offset expenses incurred in deploying students and staff to assist clients in the field, and for scholarships to assist students in the academic programs aligned with DSOC.

These partnerships are a true win-win scenario for both the partner organization and our students. The partner groups get access to resources to rapidly address issues. In turn, our students have the opportunity to apply what they have learned in the classroom and laboratory to real-world issues and be a valued member of a diverse team, including: leaders from organization(s), university faculty and staff from WKU and other institutions, advisors representing a wide range of disciplines including meteorology, emergency management services, public health, industry, etc.

Donations received from partner agencies go directly to provide financial aid to our students, in addition to aiding in the purchase of needed equipment and supplies for the center.