CEHC Students Participate in NY Hope Disaster Response Exercise

ALBANY, N.Y. (Aug. 4, 2022) — More than 20 students from the College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity participated in this summer’s NY Hope Disaster Response exercise at the State Preparedness Training Center (SPTC) in Oriskany, N.Y.

The NY Hope exercise, a partnership between the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services and Consortium for Humanitarian Services and Education, provides students with training for future careers in homeland security and emergency services.

During the four-day training, students rotate through scenarios with live role players that attempt to recreate the challenges and conditions faced when a humanitarian organization responds to a disaster. Scenarios include mass casualty situations, water rescue operations, secondary triage and treatment, damage assessment, wilderness search and rescue, and emergency response involving a cyber attack.

This year’s exercise, held July 28-31, built on previous NY Hope events held at the SPTC – one of the premier first responder training facilities in the nation.

“We are proud to continue our long-standing partnership with DHSES to host a disaster response simulation introducing students to the realities of emergency management,” said CEHC Dean Robert Griffin. “NY Hope embodies the mission of CEHC, combining high-quality academics with experiential learning opportunities to prepare the next generation of leaders to address some of the most serious threats facing humankind.”

The Hope Disaster Training exercise originated in Florida and has since expanded to Missouri and New York. Each location hosts one training per year.

Students participating in this year’s NY Hope training represented universities and colleges around the country, including UAlbany, Elmira College, Northwest Missouri State University, the University of Missouri-Kansas City, Rasmussen University, and Saint John Fisher College.

Photos: Patrick Dodson