MANSFIELD, PA — The Mansfield University Public Safety Institute (MUPSTI) has been awarded a $10,000 grant by the Potter County Board of Commissioners.
MUPSTI provides critical training for public safety practitioners in communities across the Northern Tier. “I would like to thank the Potter County Commissioners for their recent donation to our Public Safety Training Institute. Their commitment towards training current and future first responders is clearly evident, and these funds will go a long way in achieving that goal,” said Mr. Peter Fackler, Interim President of Mansfield University.
The funds were made possible by Pennsylvania Act 13. Act 13 of 2012 requires a gas well impact fee on unconventional natural gas wells in Pennsylvania and provides guidelines for the distribution and application of these fees.
“With a reduction in Pennsylvania State Police patrols, local policing has become more challenging and more important to rural communities. It’s imperative that our boroughs and townships are able to recruit trained and dedicated officers,” said Paul Heimel, Vice Chair of the Potter County Board of Commissioners. “We are fortunate to be able to support the regional Public Safety Training Institute at Mansfield University as an investment made possible through revenue the county has received from Pennsylvania Act 13 impact fee on shale gas drilling.”
Commissioner Susan Kefover added, “Equipping our municipal police, law enforcement officers, emergency medical personnel, criminal justice personnel, social service workers, educators, and community leaders with the latest methods, tools, and knowledge to keep us safe is a leading priority for government leaders. Investing in MUPSTI strengthens Potter County and the region’s support of this goal while providing such training close to home.”
“On behalf of the Mansfield University Public Safety Training Institute, I sincerely appreciate the Act 13 donation made to MUPSTI by the Potter County Commissioners. These monies are an investment, not only in MUPSTI and Mansfield University, but also for the residents of Potter County and our region, in providing excellent training and education for our first responder disciplines,” said MUPSTI Director Scott Henry. “This investment is the proper usage of Act 13 funding and demonstrates to the citizens of our region the efficient collaboration that exists between the Potter County Commissioners and Mansfield University on identifying needs and providing solutions. This collaboration, in turn, enhances the overall quality of life and opportunities for the citizens of Potter County, and assisting in meeting the needs of our regional rural communities.”
Mansfield University’s Public Safety Training Institute (MUPSTI) serves as a regional training center, providing initial and continuing professional development education for criminal justice practitioners, first responders, and related professionals. MUPSTI delivers initial law enforcement and security training with Pennsylvania’s Act 120 Municipal Police Academy and Act 235 Lethal Weapons Training, as well as a Bachelor of Science degree incorporating the Pennsylvania Act 120 certification. MUPSTI offers federal, state, and municipal continuing education opportunities for public safety professionals. The goal of MUPSTI is to provide comprehensive education and training opportunities to improve the knowledge, skillset, and capabilities of those working in public safety positions.
For information regarding Mansfield University’s Public Safety Training Institute, please visit our website at https://www.mansfield.edu/mupsti or contact Chief Scott Henry at shenry@mansfield.edu or 570-662-4895.