Newspaper: Times Leader
Date: June 3, 2004

PREPAREDNESS : Grant to help develop ways for colleges to aid in emergencies

DALLAS TWP. - When the Wyoming Valley flooded in 1972, College Misericordia's campus became home to more than 1,000 evacuees and the birthplace of 52 babies.

It was an example of how a college campus can use its resources to help communities during natural disasters.

College Misericordia officials want to ensure their campus, and others across the state, can help communities during that type of disaster or terrorist attack.

Through a $500,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Emergency 'Management Agency, the college will help state agencies develop a program to show colleges how to use their resources to help during emergencies.

"Since 9-11, institutions like this ... want to be of help," College Misericordia President Michael MacDowell said while announcing the grant at a press conference inside the college's library Wednesday. "This is a viable answer."

The program, dubbed "Ready Campus," will include training sessions for higher-education and community participants beginning in the fall at College Misericordia and other state sites.

The program will develop a manual for schools statewide, and show them how to apply its contents at their campuses.

MacDowell said colleges nationwide have numerous resources, 'through nursing, counseling, communications and other educational program, along with dining and residence halls to help displaced or traumatized victims.

Students, MacDowell said, can volunteer their time to help. Also, they can apply the skills they learn to their curriculum and careers, he said.

The program came to fruition after Keith Martin, director of the Pennsylvania Office of Homeland Security, and other agencies polled school presidents across the state. The poll showed presidents had an overwhelming desire to have their campuses serve their communities during emergencies.

"Today we are about doing the right thing," Martin said Wednesday.

"Ready Campus" was developed by Pennsylvania Campus Compact, College Misericordia, Pennsylvania's Office of Homeland Security, the American Red Cross, the Pennsylvania Association of Colleges and Universities, and the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania.