Keuka College is partnering with the New York State Sheriffs’ Institute to host a new training program aimed at improving the mental health and resilience of first responders across New York.
The first HERO (Helping Every Responder Overcome) Resilience Training Program will be held on the Keuka College campus June 15-19, bringing law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMS personnel, dispatchers, and other public safety professionals together for specialized training focused on stress management, suicide prevention, and long-term wellness.
College officials say the partnership aligns with Keuka’s longstanding commitment to preparing students for careers in law enforcement, corrections, public safety, and related fields through its Criminology and Criminal Justice program.
“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.”
According to Steuben County Sheriff Jim Allard, who chairs the New York State Sheriffs’ Institute Board, the HERO program was created to address the significant mental health challenges faced by 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,” Allard said.
The training will feature three separate programs, including one day focused on suicide prevention, another examining the science of addiction, and three days dedicated to the FBI National Academy Associates Comprehensive Officer Resilience Train-the-Trainer Program.
Participants will learn strategies they can bring back to their own agencies to support colleagues and improve workplace wellness.
The weeklong session is limited to 20 participants. Keuka College will provide classroom space, housing, and meals for attendees.
College officials say the partnership also builds on existing relationships with sheriff’s offices throughout the region. Yates County Sheriff’s deputies regularly participate in campus events, and many students complete internships with law enforcement agencies across New York.
Funding for the HERO program comes through the Sheriffs’ Institute’s effort to raise $14 million for the future Ron Spike Wellness Center, which is planned for the Institute’s summer camp property on Keuka Lake, just south of the Keuka College campus.
Organizers hope to eventually offer the training on a quarterly basis at host sites around the state, including Keuka College.
Beyond the HERO program, the two organizations plan to collaborate on educational initiatives, research projects, and potential experiential learning opportunities for students.
“We’ve always had a good relationship with Keuka College,” Allard said. “We see a lot of opportunities to work together. We think it will be a very good fit.”
