CEHC Students Participate in ‘NY Hope’ Disaster Response Exercise

The Hands-On Training Prepares Students for Careers in Emergency Services

ALBANY, N.Y. (Sept. 3, 2019) – The College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity (CEHC) once again teamed up with the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DSHES) this summer to prepare students for future careers in the field.

Nearly 50 college students participated in the NY Hope Disaster Response Exercise last month at the State Preparedness Training Center (SPTC) in Oriskany, building off last year’s exercise at the same location.

The four-day disaster response exercise, hosted by CEHC and DSHES, offers students hands-on training to build their leadership and teamwork skills. This summer’s group represented eight universities and colleges, including 20 students from CEHC, who are required to fulfill 100 hours of non-credit training to complete the college’s undergraduate major.

“We are proud to continue our partnership with DSHES in hosting a crisis simulation experience that introduces students to the challenges that come with responding to a real-world humanitarian disaster,” said UAlbany CEHC Dean Robert Griffin. “This exercise embodies the mission of our college, which is to combine high-quality academics with experiential learning and training opportunities outside of the classroom.”

An Immersive Experience

Students work together during the training to tackle challenges such as mass casualty situations, water rescue, secondary triage and treatment, damage assessment, wilderness search and rescue, emergency operations involving incident command, and cyber incidents.

They rotate through different scenarios each day and interact with live role players who serve as civilians in need of help. One of the role players this summer was Michael Apollo, an incoming CEHC senior, and alum of the NY Hope exercise.

“I decided to return this summer and give back to those who made my experience so great last year,” said Apollo, who is also a journalism major. “This training has taught me that it takes a village to respond to disasters. It’s a great opportunity for students with various skillsets to train together in an immersive environment.”

CEHC senior Jenna Latourette interviews with Spectrum News during NY Hope training. (Photo by Patrick Dodson)

CEHC senior Jenna Latourette was among the new students at this summer’s training.

“NY Hope provides a great opportunity to develop team building skills under stressful, real-world disaster situations,” said Latuorette, who graduated from UAlbany in August, and is interested in becoming an intelligence analyst. “We had the next generation of homeland security professionals, wildlife conservationists and engineers all working together to prepare for future careers.”

Hope Disaster Training

The Hope disaster training exercise originated 15 years ago in Florida and has since expanded to Missouri and New York. Each location hosts a group of students for a week-long training each year.

NY Hope is sponsored by the Consortium for Humanitarian Service and Education, CEHC, Elmira College, and the University at Buffalo. This program is open to students, community members, and local and state responders.

View media coverage from training via Spectrum News.

Photos: Patrick Dodson

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