Who we are
In 2002 Binghamton University was the first SUNY school, and among the earliest in the nation, to recognize a need to formalize emergency planning and preparedness initiatives. An existing employee, Dave Hubeny, was given approval to dedicate half of his full-time responsibilities to emergency management, beginning the process of what would eventually develop into the Office of Emergency Management.
Originating from within EH&S then transitioning to University Police, emergency management activities eventually developed into a stand-alone department. In 2018 the Office of Emergency Management was formally created, and a second full-time staff member was hired. The addition of Cait (Crisman) Cavanaugh to the team gave OEM two full-time employees, significantly increasing the capacity of the program.
OEM has coordinated numerous incidents and played a vital role directing the University’s response to major emergencies such as the 2006 & 2011 floods and the COVID-19 pandemic. Written plans developed by OEM have been adapted for use at numerous other institutes of higher education across the United States. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the expansion of OEM with two additional staff members, Gabby Bonilla and Emily Juozitis, added to the team.
What we do
The Office of Emergency Management strives to make our campus as resilient as possible while operating at the forefront of emergency management practices in higher education. We work to support all members of the campus community and build an environment where everyone can thrive as they learn, live, and work.
