Emergency responders, students gather at third Rotorfest
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Photos by Alexandra Butler, photographer/photo editor, and Rob Hinkal, social media specialist, unless otherwise noted
A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter lands on a front lawn at Pennsylvania College of Technology, during the third annual Rotorfest. Samuel S. Smith, an emergency management & homeland security student from Cogan Station, stands watch in the foreground. The major coordinates the event, bringing together emergency response professionals and K-12 students and educators.
The third annual Rotorfest, held this month at Pennsylvania College of Technology, brought more than 500 K-12 students and educators to campus to learn about the college’s emergency management & homeland security major and interact with a wide range of emergency response professionals.
Unlike the previous two years, when ideal spring weather boosted the outdoor venue, this year’s chilly temperatures and wind added new elements to be managed by the event hosts.
“The third annual Rotorfest was a fantastic day! We had some challenges with weather, but our students were able to adjust and still pull off a highly successful event,” said William A. Schlosser, instructor of emergency management & homeland security. “The ability to be flexible is an absolute requirement for these future emergency managers.”
Michael J. Gruber, an emergency management & homeland security junior from Rockville, Maryland, who served as incident commander for Rotorfest, added, “This is the real world, especially in emergency response. We never know what is going to hit us. Cold. Wind. Rain. Snow. Sunshine. We need to be prepared for anything.”
Winds prevented a Pennsylvania Army National Guard Chinook helicopter from landing, but the Guard supplied an array of ground assets for participants to explore.
Also on hand were helicopters from the U.S. Coast Guard, Pennsylvania State Police and Geisinger Life Flight. Other units in attendance were: Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, Pennsylvania Air National Guard, Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Bureau of Prisons, Williamsport Bureau of Police & Fire, UPMC/Susquehanna Regional EMS, North Central Task Force/Loyalsock Volunteer Fire Department, Laurel Mountain K9 Search & Rescue, RescueOne, Clearview Asset Protection, and Penn College Police.
“For the third straight year, Penn College has proved why we are the best technical college in the land!” enthused Chuck D. Crews Jr., assistant director for secondary partnerships. “Our students consistently demonstrate that it’s not the knowledge, but the application of the knowledge, that makes you an expert. Our students handled the logistical details, as well as acted as ambassadors to our K-12 guests, explaining to them the benefits of the program and the uses of the assets on campus. I am always excited to invite our Dual Enrollment partner schools and any school that wants to be a witness to the great things that we do on campus.”
Emergency management & homeland security students Lucas R. Sampson (left), of Media, and Michael J. Gruber, of Rockville, Maryland, lead coordination of Pennsylvania College of Technology’s third annual Rotorfest, held this month at the college’s main campus in Williamsport. Sampson served as deputy incident commander, with Gruber as incident commander.
The 20 K-12 schools and career and technology centers that participated hailed from 13 counties: Berks, Bradford, Centre, Columbia, Luzerne, Lycoming, McKean, Montour, Northumberland, Schuylkill, Snyder, Sullivan and Tioga. Most of the visitors are engaged in Penn College Dual Enrollment, a program that gives secondary students the opportunity to take Penn College courses tuition-free during their regular school day.
The visiting schools and CTCs were: Canton Junior Senior High School, Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology, Danville Middle School, Jersey Shore Area Middle School, Jersey Shore Area Senior High School, Kutztown Area High School, Liberty Valley Intermediate School (Danville Area School District), Lycoming Career & Technology Center, Lycoming Day Treatment, Midd-West School District, Millville Area Junior Senior High School, Montgomery Area Junior Senior High School, North Penn-Liberty High School, North Penn-Mansfield High School, Seneca Highlands Career & Technical Center, Shenandoah Valley High School, Sullivan County High School, Warrior Run Junior/Senior High School, Wellsboro Area High School, and Wilkes-Barre Area High School.
Jeremy Brown, a criminal justice instructor at Lycoming CTC, noted it was the first time the center had visited Rotorfest, due to a wide range of spring field trip options. “We’re enjoying it,” he said. “The different stations are giving our students exposure to the career opportunities in our field plus additional exposure to the programs offered at the college.”
It was also the first time for Laurel Mountain K9 Search & Rescue, and the Tioga County unit’s search dog attracted many enamored onlookers. Volunteer Denise Drabick, a retired high school principal and educator, raved over Rotorfest: “This is a wonderful experience with all of the hands-on learning for the kids!”
Laurel Mountain K9 Search & Rescue's rescue dog K9 Freedom, also known as Little Dude and K9 Dude, attracts many admirers at Rotorfest. An active search dog since 2018, the golden retriever is certified and loves his job finding lost people.
For Penn College students enrolled in the emergency management & homeland security major, Rotorfest provides the challenge of planning and executing a large-scale event, while utilizing their education in incident command, field management and security tactics.
Gruber says a crucial aspect of planning the annual event is the community relations involved. “It gives us the opportunity to communicate with and collaborate with the community, bringing together resources and agencies,” he said. “It gives us that real-world practicum.”
While building rapport with those agencies, Rotorfest also gives the college students key connections with professionals in their career field.
Penn College offers a Bachelor of Science degree in emergency management & homeland security – with on-campus and online options. To learn more about the major, contact the School of Business, Arts & Sciences at 570-327-4521.
For more about Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.
On a brisk day at Penn College, K-12 students and educators gather around a Pennsylvania State Police helicopter.
The large American flag at the college's entrance offers an ideal "cap" on the special event.
Emergency management & homeland security students staff the major's Mobile Command Post, parked at the center of action.
Gruber welcomes U.S. Coast Guard representatives to the Penn College campus.
A high school student revels in an insider's view of a Pennsylvania Army National Guard ground support unit.
Excitement is in the air ...
... and event planning on the ground.
The Penn College student-hosts prepare for the day's activities.
A view from the Davie Jane Gilmour Center as the gathering gets underway
Visitors engage with Williamsport Bureau of Fire representatives and equipment.
A soon-to-be emergency management & homeland security student enjoys a "front-row seat" at Rotorfest. Haylee Parker attended the event with the Millville Area Junior Senior High School.
A canine member of the Special Response Team with the Williamsport Bureau of Police stands ready for service (and adoration).
On-campus exploration abounds and includes little ones from the college's Dunham's Children's Learning Center.
A focus on the bravery of service
William A. Schlosser, instructor of emergency management & homeland security, serves as commander of the Pennsylvania Wing of the Civil Air Patrol.
Cookies made by Mom! The mother of emergency management & homeland security student Colten C.B. Hajicek, of Redmond, Washington, shared her baking talents with Rotorfest organizers. A number of the major's parents were on hand for the annual event.
As incident commander, Gruber is all business.
A traditional design element on Geisinger's Life Flight helicopter
An athletic challenge is tossed into the mix.
A grand (and windy) day at Penn College
A parting shot captured by Schlosser