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SUNY Canton EMTCNNY WMD Training Attracts 100

Two disaster response experts promoted deterrence through preparedness by "Thinking outside of the box" during the recent Weapons of Mass Destruction training at SUNY Canton.

Tom Creamer, State Preparedness Training Director for the New York State Office of Homeland Security began the "WMD Incident Response" seminar by promoting unity among the ranks of emergency personnel, both paid and volunteer. William T. Bowen, a Health Policy Advisor for the same agency as Creamer, further enforced the concept of unified response to any disaster.

"You were conscripted by affiliation as first responders," said Creamer "How prepared are you as soldiers on the frontline against acts of terrorism, both foreign and domestic? How are you going to save my family in an emergency situation?"

Creamer, who served eight years in the U.S. Marine Corps, said many of the accurate responses to terrorist situations are counter-intuitive. His message fell upon the ears of approximately 100 emergency personnel including volunteer firefighters, emergency medical technicians, police officers, public health officials, registered nurses, and other representatives from across the North County. A number of SUNY Canton Criminal Investigation and Criminal Justice students also attended the training. Attendants appeared to agree with Creamer and mirrored his beliefs all needed to work in unison to create deterrence through preparedness.

Bowen said all terrorist attacks begin at a local level, but many can present a national threat. He said he reads every emergency plan when entering an airplane, and he always notes the exits. "I am kind of a weirdo about safety" Bowen said. "I look at things differently than I did prior to 9/11 and hurricanes Katrina and Wilma."

One of Bowen's tasks it to aid in the development of policies and protocols for all of the people and agencies that would respond to an emergency situation. He noted that all agencies that provide mutual aid for a catastrophe ideally would have the same training. "There needs to be expanded regional collaboration," Bowen said. "We need to work together, plan together and train together."

He also mentioned broadening the contacts of each emergency agency to encompass other leading authorities. Industry professionals, such as engineers should be conscripted in the wake of a disaster, much like when engineers were called in after attacks on the World Trade Center. He said that the recent hurricanes placed a demand on Veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians to assist with displaced victim's pets.

This was the inaugural seminar for the Emergency Management Training Center of Northern New York (EMTCNNY), Directed by Martin J. Hassett, under the office of SUNY Canton President Joseph L. Kennedy.

For more information about the programs offered through the EMTCNNY Contact Hassett at 315-379-3929 or visit www.canton.edu/emergency_management.

SUNY Canton will be marking its 100-year anniversary next year and has already begun celebrating with its highly successful SUNY Canton Centennial Campaign: Cultivating the Minds of Tomorrow. The College is transitioning from a two-year institution to a four-year college. In addition to 25 associate degree programs, SUNY Canton currently offers eight four-year degrees with plans to double that number during the next academic year. SUNY Canton also offers a Masters of Business Administration in conjunction with SUNYIT, Utica.

November 1, 2005

Media inquiries should be directed to Gregory Kie, Media Relations Coordinator, or call 315/386-7527.

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