Keuka College and the New York State Sheriffs’ Institute have entered into a new partnership that will bring law enforcement professionals and other first responders from across the state to the College campus this month for specialized resilience training.
The Sheriffs’ Institute will host its first HERO (Helping Every Responder Overcome) Resilience Training Program at Keuka College from June 15-19. The program will provide first responders with resilience training designed to reduce the number of suicides associated with the stresses of public safety work and equip participants with tools to support their long-term well-being.
The partnership is a natural extension of Keuka College’s commitment to the first responder community. Through its robust Criminology and Criminal Justice program, the College prepares students for careers in law enforcement, corrections, public safety, and related fields. Many graduates go on to serve as first responders in communities throughout New York and beyond.
The Yates County Sheriff’s Department is one of many regional public safety agencies that take part in the College’s annual Salute to Service event to provide career, networking, and experiential learning opportunities for students interested in law enforcement, first response, and military service.
“The men and women who serve as first responders dedicate their lives to helping others, and many of our graduates are among them,” said Keuka College President Amy Storey. “This partnership reflects a simple but powerful idea: They help us; we help them. Through our academic programs, we prepare students for careers of service. Through initiatives like the HERO program, we can also help support those who are already serving by providing resources that strengthen their health, resilience, and well-being.”
Steuben County Sheriff Jim Allard, chair of the New York State Sheriffs’ Institute Board, said the program addresses one of the most pressing challenges facing first responders.
“The whole idea is to get information out to first responders that will help them be more resilient and hopefully decrease the number of suicides among folks who leave the job due to stress and unresolved issues, and to give them coping mechanisms to help them lead healthier lives,” said Sheriff Allard.
President Storey said the partnership also builds on the College’s longstanding relationships with sheriff’s offices and law enforcement agencies throughout the region.
“Keuka College regularly welcomes Yates County sheriff’s deputies to campus for events like our annual Salute to Service, and we’ve had students complete Field Period® internships at sheriff’s offices throughout New York. Hosting the HERO program strengthens those connections while helping us support the people who work every day to keep our communities safe.”
Sheriff Allard said the training will include three distinct programs: one day each devoted to suicide prevention and the science of addiction, followed by three days of instruction through the FBI National Academy Associates (FBINAA) Comprehensive Officer Resilience Train-the-Trainer Program.
“We’ll be bringing in first responders from across the state,” said Sheriff Allard, “and training them how to go back to their agencies and share lessons from the FBI program.”
The weeklong program is capped at 20 participants and will include representatives from law enforcement, EMS, fire services, dispatching, and other public safety professions.
Keuka College will provide classroom space, residence hall accommodations, and meals to support the program and its participants.
“We’re excited to welcome the New York State Sheriffs’ Institute to Keuka College,” said Associate Vice President for Hospitality Services Abigail Dinan. “This training is a great example of the types of partnerships we’re proud to support, and it showcases how our campus can serve as a destination for professional development, educational programs, and community engagement. We’re looking forward to hosting the group and making their time here a great experience.”
Funding for the program comes from the Institute’s campaign to raise $14 million to build and sustain the Ron Spike Wellness Center, which will be located at the New York State Sheriffs’ Institute Summer Camp just south of the Keuka College campus on Keuka Lake. Sheriff Allard said the Institute hopes to make the training a quarterly event, with Keuka College serving as one of several host sites throughout the state.
The partnership will extend beyond the HERO program. Keuka College will participate in educational programs held at the Institute’s camp and collaborate on research and data collection to measure the effectiveness of Institute training initiatives. The organizations are also exploring Field Period placements and other experiential learning opportunities for students.
“We’ve always had a good relationship with Keuka College. Yates County Sheriff Frank Ryan is an adjunct professor for the College, and we see a lot of opportunities to work together. We think it will be a very good fit.”
The partnership further highlights Keuka College’s growing role as a destination for summer conferences, educational programs, and special events in the Finger Lakes region. Organizations and individuals interested in hosting events at Keuka College can learn more at stay.keuka.edu or by emailing [email protected].
