SUNY Students Completed Disaster Relief Training

The Empire State Service Corps expanded its capacity as hundreds of students finished disaster preparedness training.

Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Financial Aid

SUNY Students Completed Disaster Relief Training

Live Poll

Do you support state-funded service programs that train students for local disaster relief efforts?

A total of 568 SUNY students have completed the Disaster Relief Training Program, preparing them to assist during state emergencies. The initiative has expanded its capacity to 1,000 spots across 58 campuses statewide.

Why it matters

This program prepares young people to provide vital support to communities during state emergencies. Participants also gain professional experience while providing paid service to those in need.

Participants dedicate at least 300 hours annually to paid community service and may earn an AmeriCorps Segal Education Award of up to $1,400. The program launched with $2.75 million in fiscal year 2025 and added 13 new campuses this year.

The players

SUNY

The State University of New York is a public university system that serves as the comprehensive system of public higher education in New York state.

American Red Cross

This humanitarian organization provides emergency assistance, disaster relief, and disaster preparedness education in the United States.

Empire State Service Corps

This state-run program connects students with community service opportunities while providing financial support and professional development.

The details

Students complete rigorous disaster preparedness training through the American Red Cross to mobilize during state emergencies. Once trained, these participants assist the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Dispatch Hotline as part of their service commitment.

Fiscal year 2025 marked the launch of the Empire State Service Corps.
October 2026 saw the completion of the latest training cycle.
Fiscal year 2026-27 is the designated timeframe for further budget expansion.

Culture Shift

This program follows the model of the AmeriCorps Segal Education Award to integrate higher education with public service requirements. The initiative reflects a growing trend of aligning student career development with state-level disaster response infrastructure.

Eligible students at 58 SUNY campuses can now apply for these service spots to receive paid experience and potential education awards. Participants must commit to 300 annual hours, which allows them to balance academic schedules with meaningful community support.

The takeaway

Students looking to build their resumes can leverage state service programs to gain specialized skills while offsetting tuition costs. These initiatives offer a practical bridge between academic life and essential public safety work.