Profile in Professionalism

As an intern at York County Office of Emergency Management (YCOEM), senior history major and public relations minor Colin Cameron worked to publicize a joint project of the YCOEM and York College: the creation of a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) on campus. CERT training promotes a partnering effort between emergency services and the people that they serve, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The goal is to have members of the community trained in basic response skills. CERT members are then integrated into the emergency response capability for their area. In the event of a natural or man-made disaster, CERT members would provide assistance to their community if emergency services were delayed in response or needed more help in the assistance effort.

A training program for the new CERT team – comprised of 11 students and three staff members -- was held on campus from March 17 – 31.The program concluded with a written test and mass fatality exercise on March 31. Colin alerted local media to the exercise, resulting in coverage by two local television stations and three local newspapers.

How’d you find out about the internship with YCOEM? 

I had an advising meeting with Assistant Professor of Communications Lowell Briggs last fall, and he knew I had been struggling to find an internship. In an effort to help me figure out where to look, he said, “What do you want to do?” I knew I wanted to work in public relations, and I wanted to help people in crisis. After hearing that he said, “I know exactly the place for you.” Prof. Briggs picked up the phone and called the York County Office of Emergency Management, and next thing I knew, I was interviewing with the director. It just goes to show you what a valuable resource your advisors can be. They have established networks, and they truly want to see students succeed. Use them!

 Where’d the interest in crisis planning come from? 

I learned about Prof. Briggs’ crisis class (Crisis Communications Management) from a former roommate, who is now an alumnus of York College: Mike Wagner. I can remember vividly a several-day period of time where Mike did not go sleep, because he was participating in Prof. Briggs’ crisis scenario. The crisis required him to stay up collecting information, disseminating it, and coming up with a proper response. The scenario dealt with injuries, politics, a natural disaster and a whole slew of other things all in the same timeframe. It stressed him out, but he enjoyed the experience overall. Seeing Mike’s success with the class, I took an interest, as I saw the value in being prepared to deal with the worst-case scenario in terms of communication.

Did you play a role in establishing the CERT program at the College? 

Jeff Joy, municipal Planner for York County, and I had been talking. He knew I wanted to do something to connect OEM to the College. CERT was a program he was responsible for. It was a no-brainer to bring to the program to campus, as we both agreed it would be received well and that it could help promote both the College and OEM.

As far as my role in bringing CERT to campus, I was the contact between the College and OEM. I emailed several deans and professors, than waited for a response. Dr. Hanbury in Criminal Justice was the first person to contact me about CERT; she later became the contact for the program at the College and was vital in helping me to get the ball rolling. I also developed press releases and media advisories in conjunction with Mary Dolheimer, assistant dean, Office of Communications, to bring the media out to the final day of the training. I was pleased with the turn out by the media, two television stations and three papers.

What were your primary responsibilities as an intern? 

As in intern with OEM, I was responsible for developing a lot of my own projects. The first thing I tackled was getting social media up and running for the Office. I developed a Facebook and a Twitter page: YorkPaOEM. I also took charge of the CERT program for the campus; I became the day-to-day contact for all involved. I worked closely here with the public information officer, assisting him by drafting press releases, media alerts and fact sheets, among other things. 

 The largest project I took on was developing a crisis communication plan for the facility if the “worst” were to happen. I also took on the task of informing the employees about social media -- the do’s and do not’s of the forums -- by hosting an information session. I also came away with some invaluable training. For example, I attended three days of the regional homeland security conference. Not many college students can say that! One important thing to remember about being an intern is to be flexible, never say “I can’t” or “I won’t do that.”

Plans after graduation? 

I am hoping to become a public information officer for a local county and/or stay in the crisis management field. I would love to stay in the area; York has certainly become my home over the last four years.

Why did you choose to come to York College? 

I wanted a small school that wasn’t too far away from home. I knew some people who had attended the College with success, and the scholarship I received was a huge selling point. When I saw the campus, I just saw so many opportunities for success that it was hard to say no.