Training Available for UK Faculty, Staff Who Want to Assist in Disaster Response

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 12, 2016) — Recognizing that managing events following a serious emergency on campus can quickly overwhelm the resources of first responders, University of Kentucky Police Department’s Division of Crisis Management and Preparedness will host the third annual Campus Community Emergency Response Team (C-CERT) training for faculty and staff. Beginning Thursday, Oct. 13, training will be held each Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for five weeks in The 90. The training will end with a mock disaster exercise Thursday, Nov. 10. 

The primary purpose of UK C-CERT is to apply the established CERT curriculum, adopted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, to the university environment. Every campus is a virtual “city within a city,” with many of the same challenges to public health and safety faced by any other community, but also some unique risks and vulnerabilities. UK has a large, diverse and multicultural population of faculty, staff and students on campus in offices, residence halls, classrooms and patient areas. The complexity of UK's critical infrastructure and the tens of thousands of visitors for special events and conferences underscore the need to educate employees about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact campus and its vital resources.  

UK C-CERT members will receive hands-on training in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety and suppression, light search and rescue, disaster medical operations, team organization, disaster psychology and terrorism. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, C-CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help.

UK Police Chief Joe Monroe encourages faculty and staff to become part of the university’s investment in emergency preparedness and disaster resiliency. “Utilizing the skills and knowledge of campus volunteers will not only tremendously enhance the safety and security of our entire campus community, but support an environment of teamwork and an attitude toward readiness,” Monroe said. “I challenge you to discover new perspectives on your limitations and capabilities for providing assistance to those around you.”

Registration is open now through Oct 7. Class size is limited and enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis. The training is free and open to regular full-time UK faculty and staff. To register, please click here.

Prospective participants will be expected to obtain approval from their supervisor and submit to an electronic background check. Refresher trainings on a variety of topics will be planned each year for UK C-CERT members along with opportunities to utilize these skills in responding to campus events or emergencies. 

To find out more, visit UKPD’s C-CERT website, UKPD Facebook page or contact Laurel Wood by calling 859-257-6655 or by email at laurel.wood@uky.edu.

UK is the University for Kentucky. At UK, we are educating more students, treating more patients with complex illnesses and conducting more research and service than at any time in our 150-year history. To read more about the UK story and how you can support continued investment in your university and the Commonwealth, go to: uky.edu/uk4ky. #uk4ky #seeblue

MEDIA CONTACT:  Kathy Johnson, 859-257-3155, kathy.johnson@uky.edu