Student Spotlight: 5 Questions with Ethan Maier

CEHC student Ethan Maier working with emergency management equipment along with another student.

Ethan Maier is a student at the University at Albany's College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Emergency Management and Homeland Security with a concentration in Homeland Security. A proud member of Epsilon Delta Psi, the pre-professional organization for CEHC students, Ethan is dedicated to building professional skills and preparing for a future career in the field. With a strong interest in Homeland Security, particularly the operations of transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), Ethan is eager to continue expanding his knowledge and expertise.

What’s the coolest project, internship, or campus opportunity you’ve taken on lately and what did you do there?
Over the summer, I had the opportunity to participate in this year’s NY HOPE Disaster Response Exercise. We were trained in disaster management, psychological first aid, SWIFT water rescue and in triaging. After completing this training, we were thrown into multiple exercises to test our knowledge and skills. I served as a lead on a wilderness search and rescue mission, served as the Logistics Section Chief during a mass casualty incident and served as the Operations Section Chief in a mock Emergency Operations Center (EOC).

What’s one thing you learned from that experience that you know will help you in your future career?
During the exercise, my soft skills (communication, organization) were equally tested alongside my hard skills (emergency management). I learned that you need good soft skills to effectively apply your hard skills.

While you were there, did you see any interesting ways tech (or AI) was used in your field?
The state fire had a drone that used a thermal camera to help spot victims either in trapped debris or in thick forest.

How has CEHC helped you discover or land opportunities like this?
The weekly CEHC emails showcased this training, which gave a lot of helpful information about what the exercise entailed.

What’s next for you? Any big goals, projects, or dream opportunities on the horizon?
I'm planning on attending Missouri Hope in the fall and long-term land a job in emergency management.