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Emergency management director keeping a watchful eye on the campus |
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| Koren Kanadanian |
Although it would be difficult to tell by his outward appearance, Koren Kanadanian is the self-styled “most paranoid” person on campus.
That’s just his nature, he says. That’s also the attitude that has led him to jump headfirst into his duties as Providence College’s first director of emergency management.
“My job is to think about everyone else on campus so we can keep the focus on taking care of and educating the students,” said Kanadanian from his office in the Slavin Center.
As the director of emergency management, Kanadanian’s responsibilities include overseeing training and drills for students, faculty, and staff; conducting simulated emergency exercises; and carrying out assessment and other related activities to ensure that the College’s Emergency Response Plan remains flexible and effective.
Kanadanian began his position at PC in late January after serving for 12 years with the Franklin (Mass.) Police Department, leaving with the rank of sergeant. In addition, Kanadanian was a trainer/instructor for the Massachusetts Municipal Training Academy and the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency. He is also a reserve federal security specialist/emergency medical technician for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services/National Disaster Medical System.
He is currently working on his thesis for his master’s degree in emergency management, terrorism, and homeland security at Anna Maria College in Paxton, Mass.
Kanadanian said that PC provided him the perfect opportunity to start an emergency management department from the ground up.
“I felt the College was committed to the safety and well-being of the PC community and I liked the fact that I could be creative and see my ideas become a reality,” he said. “The smaller campus community made me feel that this would be an environment where I would be able to connect with students, faculty, and staff on the issues.”
Kanadanian said he is very pleased with the emergency plans already in place. Among his many goals for the near future, Kanadanian said fully familiarizing the campus community in where and how to use the Emergency Procedures Quick Reference Guide tops the list.
The Quick Reference Guide, which covers more than a dozen areas relating to emergencies, has already been widely circulated, but Kanadanian said he has to ensure every classroom and office on campus has one handy.
Another objective is getting faculty and staff members linked to the Connect-ED system, which currently uses cell phones (including text messaging), campus phones, and e-mail addresses to send emergency notices to students.
Kanadanian added that of the 40 “blue light” telephones on campus, 26 are being retrofitted with emergency red lights and an “all campus alert” public address capability.
Outreach is Paramount
To date, Kanadanian has completed a comprehensive evacuation plan in St. Thomas Aquinas Priory/Gragnani Dominican Center, conducted two student simulations using the Connect-ED system, and met with a number of departments, outlining his plans for the new position.
“I want people to call me anytime,” he said. “By working with the PC community, I feel that we can make PC a safe place to live, work, and receive an education.”
He added that although there is never a guarantee as to whether a tragedy or disaster can be averted on a school’s campus, he believes all the parties involved in protecting PC students and employees are ahead of the curve.
“If parents ask what Providence College has in place, I think we’ll have answers that will satisfy them,” Kanadanian said.
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