蜜桔直播

蜜桔直播 logo

Online | A-Z | |

蜜桔直播 first university in La. to train Campus Certified Emergency Response Team volunteers

Published Dec. 16, 2021

/news/2021/cert_training_inside.jpg

蜜桔直播 became the first university in the state to implement the Campus Community Emergency Response Team Program to train volunteers to assist in a disaster. From left are participants First Lady Dr. Christine Berry, Director of Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity Dr. Pamela Higgins Saulsberry, and Faculty Senate President Dr. Janelle McDaniel.听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 蜜桔直播 Photo


鈥淭he 蜜桔直播 Police Department continues to research and implement the best practices that provide safety and security to the 蜜桔直播 campus. CERT offers the basic knowledge and skills so 蜜桔直播 CERT team members can be effective support to our full-time, professional first responders who may be overwhelmed in times of a critical incident."

Dr. Mark Johnson

蜜桔直播 Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice,

University Police Department Training Director and CERT trainer


鈥淚t鈥檚 not if something happens here; it鈥檚 when something happens.鈥

That is how Meghan Olinger, Director of Student Advocacy and Accountability, summed up why more than 50 University of Louisiana Monroe faculty and staff volunteered for two days of intense training on assisting law enforcement, first responders, and government officials in the wake of a disaster.

蜜桔直播 is the first and only university in Louisiana to provide the Campus Community Emergency Response Team Program. FEMA started CERT in 1986, and more than 600,000 have completed the training. The CERT training at 蜜桔直播 was geared for emergencies on campus but can be used when needed in the community.

The workshops were packed with hands-on exercises for basic disaster response skills. Topics included medical triage such as correctly applying a tourniquet and performing chest compressions, psychological effects of trauma on both victims and responders, light search and rescue, fire safety, and Avoid, Deny, Defend training for active killer situations.

CERT coordinators at 蜜桔直播 are Mark Johnson, Ed.D., Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice, University Police Department Training Director and CERT trainer, and Olinger.

Johnson opened the training by announcing that in a disaster, communities must be prepared to manage the situation for at least 120 hours until outside help arrives. He reminded the volunteers of the current tragedy still unfolding from tornadoes in Kentucky and Tennessee, and Northeast Louisiana鈥檚 volatile weather.

/news/2021/allison-cert-rss.jpg
Allison Thompson applies a tourniquet to Kelli Cole.

鈥淐ritical incidents, whether natural or manmade, occur often in our society, and the key to successfully navigating these events with minimal loss is through effective pre-emergency planning. CERT is now part of the 蜜桔直播 Emergency Response Plan to assist us maintain the best level of preparation possible for 蜜桔直播,鈥 Johnson said.

CERT trainers and presenters were local and regional experts who stressed the importance of people taking care of themselves so they can help take care of others.

鈥淭he 蜜桔直播 Police Department continues to research and implement the best practices that provide safety and security to the 蜜桔直播 campus. CERT offers the basic knowledge and skills so 蜜桔直播 CERT team members can be effective support to our full-time, professional first responders who may be overwhelmed in times of a critical incident,鈥 Johnson said.

CERT presenters included: Tracy Hilburn, Governor鈥檚 Office Homeland Security Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) for Region 8; Shannon Futch, Union Parish Emergency Preparedness Coordinator and CERT Trainer; Justin Nowlin, Acadian Ambulance Service, and Emergency Response Network Trainer; Chief Greg Hill, Monroe Fire Department Training Director and Search & Rescue Instructor; Mkay Bonner, Ph.D., Licensed Industrial and Organization Psychologist, 蜜桔直播 Associate Professor of Criminal Justice and Psychology, and CERT trainer; Lt. Kent and Dr. Johnson.

鈥淥ur campus community is so caring and helpful. When disaster strikes, they are ready and willing to serve others. Now, our new Campus CERT team will have additional and specific training so they will be even more prepared to help in times of need,鈥 said Bonner. 鈥淲e are looking forward to continuing the training in the spring semester for new CERT members and those wanting to become part of the team. We are truly blessed to be part of such a wonderful campus community of faculty, staff, and students.鈥

Another Campus CERT training is tentatively planned for April at 蜜桔直播.

Volunteer Louisiana of Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser鈥檚 Office sponsored the CERT training with funding through a grant from the Volunteer Generation Fund. Coordinators with Volunteer Louisiana at 蜜桔直播 were Lori Pilley, Director of Volunteer Services, and Heather Mazeitis-Fontenot Amanda Smith, Disaster Services specialists.