M E M O R A N D U M


							November 17, 2010

To:		Members of the Board of Trustees

From:		Nancy L. Zimpher, Chancellor

Subject:	In Recognition of the Outstanding Contributions of the SUNY Emergency Response and Recovery Team

	I recommend that the Board of Trustees adopt the following resolution:

Whereas on the evening of October 10, 2010, an emergency situation occurred that resulted in SUNY Plaza being flooded with river water from the building�s cooling system.  During the flooding, water entered the south basement at a rate of approximately 750 gallons per minute.  At this�exceedingly high rate of infiltration,�water flowing in from the Hudson very quickly�made contact with the main electrical gear, causing extremely dangerous conditions; and 

Whereas within minutes of this occurring, our University Police and Maintenance units were alerted and on site, ensuring that crucial steps were taken to ascertain the source of the water, determining and closing the valve that controlled the source, along with safely cutting off electrical power throughout the building; and

Whereas by morning the Emergency Response and Recovery Team was completely operational and had a full assessment and plan for moving towards restoring power to SUNY Plaza.  One of the most incredible aspects of this team was the composition.  Individuals from every unit within SUNY Plaza,  as well as Office of General Services counterparts, the City of Albany fire department and the University at Albany, came together to identify and bring back on line the services that were essential to continue the business of SUNY; and 



Whereas the safety of SUNY employees was of the utmost importance, and the care with which this recovery effort was handled was truly remarkable.  Not only did the Team work long hours every day and throughout weekends to ensure an expedited return to normalcy, the Team  made great strides to create the best working environment possible for our displaced employees; and

Whereas the leadership and commitment demonstrated by the members of the SUNY Emergency Response and Recovery Team during this extremely challenging event is worthy of the highest regard among their colleagues; and

Whereas the efforts of this Team over the past month showcase the many dedicated and passionate public servants whom New York State is fortunate to employ; now, therefore, be it    

Resolved each Team member is worthy of the highest praise, and therefore it is with tremendous pride that the State University of New York recognizes the following individuals for their contributions:

SUNY System: Lisa Almodovar, Joel Baker, James Becker, Donald Bryda, Francis Castaldo, Troy Caswell, Al Dannes, Joseph DiPace, Mark Evans, John Evans, James Fluewelling, Douglas Johnson, Robert Lang, Malvin Lumpkin, Sean O'Leary, Carrie Pause, Kevin Stillman, Paul Sweeney, Donna Amiraian, Karren Bee-Donohoe, Mike Behrman, David Belsky, Barbara Boyle, Paul Brucker, Thomas Carey, Amanda Chenaille, Katherine Cinney, Terrance Coon, Drew Countryman, Robert Davis, Alexander DeMarco, Kellie Dupuis, Bob Fraser, Tim Gardner, John Green, Laura Gross, Bob Haelen, Bill Held, Jeffrey Hochberg, Leslie Jones, Bob Kanarkiewicz, Jim Keneston, Mary Jo Lais, Alisha Lang, William Malark, Tom Mannix, John Panariello, Theodore Phelps, Michael Plowinske, Dave Powalyk, Tracy Reimann, William Reimann, Paul Rifenburgh, David Schindler, Vlado Sergovich, Lachlan Squair, Jeff Vandenburgh, Richard Wiegner, Phil Wood, Arthur Yonkers
       
University at Albany:  Kerry Csontos, Ted Hunter 

Office of General Services:Vincent DeRubertis, Alfred Horlacher, Joe Mazoway, Joe Popp, Chris Steinke
 
City of Albany Fire Dept.: Deputy Chief Michael Cox, Battalion Chief Mike Fairfield, Captain Loren LaJoy, Deputy Chief Joe Toomey







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Board Resolution		November 17, 2010