Prevent, avoid or stop an imminent, threatened or actual act.
Emergency Preparedness and Response: Mission, Vision, and Goals
Mission, Vision, and Goals
The Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response follows the five mission areas of FEMA National Preparedness:
Prevention
Protection
Protect our students, faculty, librarians, staff, and visitors against the greatest threats and hazards in a manner that allows our interests, aspirations and way of life to thrive.
Mitigation
Reduce the loss of life and property by lessening the impact of future disasters.
Response
Respond quickly to save lives, protect property and the environment, and meet basic human needs in the aftermath of a catastrophic incident.
Recovery
Recover through a focus on the timely restoration, strengthening and revitalization of infrastructure, housing and a sustainable economy, as well as the health, social, cultural, historic and environmental fabric of communities affected by a catastrophic incident.
About the Team
The office brings a team of professionals trained in emergency response from across the campus. The team is the Emergency Response Team (ERT) and the team member is a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in their area. The ERT is assembled at the discretion of the Director of Emergency Preparedness and Response to address the immediate crisis and disband when the crisis has ended. Crisis events are defined as those situations which have the potential to cause injury or loss of life, loss of reputation, major campus disruptions, property damage or loss.
About the Director of Emergency Preparedness and Response
Sam Lemanski is the Director of Emergency Preparedness and Response at Westfield State University. In this role, Sam is responsible for preventive actions to reduce time to recovery. Sam provides leadership in disaster preparedness, hazard analysis, strategic and tactical planning, and risk mitigation against a wide array of potential threats.
Sam joins Westfield State University with a wealth of experience in emergency response and risk management. With 13 years of service as a Lieutenant and EMT at South Hadley Fire District #2, Sam has been instrumental in working closely with the community, particularly with Mount Holyoke College, in emergency response, preparation, and mitigation.
Prior to his role at WSU, Sam served as a physical education teacher at Agawam Junior High School. There, he led and coordinated the district’s Emergency and School Safety Team and was a member of the district’s Threat Assessment Team. He played a pivotal role in training staff and students in emergency preparedness and response, and spearheaded initiatives for the implementation of Narcan and Stop the Bleed kits.
Sam is passionate about educating first responders, students, coaches, faculty/staff, and the general public in areas surrounding emergency response and safety. He is a certified Red Cross CPR/First Aid/AED instructor, Stop the Bleed instructor, and ALICE instructor. Additionally, he holds several certifications including BRAVE Schools, Mental Health First Aid Responder, and Safety Care, among many others related to EMS and fire training. Sam is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of emergency response and preparedness, continually striving to enhance safety and readiness within the community.
Education: Masters of Education (M.Ed.) Athletic Administration, Van Loan School at Endicott College
Sign Up for a Training Session
To sign up for a an Emergency Preparedness and Response training session please complete the sign up form.
Have Questions?
For questions, please contact Emergency Response at emergencyresponse@westfield.ma.edu or Sam Lemanski.
Contact Us
Sam Lemanski
Director
Parenzo Hall 038