Believing that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” SUNY Sullivan in Loch Sheldrake”™s application for federal education emergency management funding was rewarded with a $284,435 grant.
The college was one of only three community colleges in the nation and one of just two New York state colleges awarded a grant. The U.S. Education Department awarded a total of 17 grants to colleges in 12 states.
“Although the emergency management grant application process was rigorous,” said Mamie Howard-Golladay, president of SUNY Sullivan, “our efforts were rewarded with a grant that will benefit the entire college community by being able to provide it with the best possible emergency plan of operation. As a significant hazard or threat of violence of any sort would have a devastating impact on the college, the grant will provide us with the funding to ensure the safety and well-being of the close to 2,000 people who study and work here. In addition to being able to serve the college community during a disaster or act of violence, the grant will allow also us to develop a plan that would enable us to continue operating after any seen or unforeseen event.”
SUNY Sullivan”™s grant proposed the use of a four-phase emergency plan: prevention and mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. The objectives of the proposal included training and drills; exercises and activities for the SUNY Sullivan community with emergency first responders; improvement of the college”™s medical emergency preparedness plan” and the workplace violence response and prevention policy;” the development of interdepartmental continuation of operation plans; and the establishment of cross-lines of communication between the college and key emergency response officials and partners.
