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| Project Summaries | |  The School of Environmental and Emergency Management (SEEM) has conducted training for over 100,000 people since 1989. Nearly 80,000 (or 80%) of those trained have come through the delivery of customized training programs conducted at the clients location/facility. To further emphasize SEEMs ability to conduct customized training at off-site locations -- Since our inception, we have awarded degrees to over 1,100 people from our Academic Degree Programs. Also, we have trained over 100,000 people coast-to-coast. In 2006 alone, SEEM trained 9,132 people, through offering 394 classes, at 216 different locations in 42 states, and 4 foreign countries. | | | Emergency Management | | Development of Standard Operating Procedures for County First Responders | | SEEM assisted a county EMA in developing a series of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) to enhance the preparedness of the first responders in the county. Specific agencies included Law Enforcement, Fire, EMS, Health and the EMA. Subject Matter Experts on staff at UF prepared guidelines for each agency in responding to specific incidents that have occurred or could occur in the community (i.e. suspicious device, school violence, mobilizing portable decontamination shelters, etc.) Tools were created to develop SOP’s in accordance with internal department guidelines and to assist in creating future policies. | | Full Scale Terrorist Attack, Chemical Release Exercise | | SEEM developed and facilitated a full-scale exercise for the county EMA of a Midwest U.S. state. The exercise involved a terrorist incident in which anhydrous ammonia tanks were stolen from local suppliers and used to cause panic and injury to the population of the county. This exercise was used to test the capabilities of agencies responding to a terrorist incident at multiple locations in the county. The exercise involved over one hundred individuals ranging from first responders to local government officials to the Red Cross. The exercise was conducted in accordance with that State’s EMA guidelines and involved several EMA officials from the State and surrounding agencies. An emphasis on Unified Incident Command was one of the primary goals of the exercise. An after action meeting was conducted followed by a formal After Action Report being submitted to the State EMA along with a Corrective Actions Plan (CAP). The CAP addressed specific actions that will be taken by county agencies that will improve the overall preparedness and effectiveness of the county’s first responders. | | Mass Casualty Incident Management | | SEEM developed a two-day workshop to evaluate the preparedness of a major university in Michigan’s emergency response group, including: the management of the emergency operations center/communications, including; possible involvement from other university departments, local law enforcement, fire and EMS. This course is designed to have participants fill an active role in a simulated incident at the university’s football stadium. A full scale table-top and hands on scenario will allow participants to practice crowd control, have an understanding of crowd dynamics, mass casualty decontamination including emergency, corridor, and hospital decontamination systems used in large scale incidents. Day two of the workshop consists of an open discussion, debrief and critique session of the practiced drill. The purpose of this discussion was to measure the effectiveness of current emergency plans and procedures. Other special topics included an overview of response to terrorism involving chemical, radiological, biological, or explosives devices and a specialized demonstration on hydrant caps. This course was delivered initially to approximately 50 participants for the purpose of testing and practicing the University’s Unified Command System. | | Update of County Emergency Operations Plan | | SEEM has assisted several Midwest counties in reviewing and updating the "All-Hazards" Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) as required by the State EMA. SEEM organized and conducted a series of public meetings and work sessions to update the plan. Special emphasis was placed on the Terrorism, Hazardous Materials and Medical sections. The EOP was updated in accordance with guidance documents approved and published by the State EMA. |
| Emergency Response | | Emergency Response and Incident Command Training | | UF custom designs original Emergency Response and Incident Command training for an international chemical manufacturer at one of their facilities in Michigan. The company was pleased with The University of Findlay’s flexibility and ability to arrange courses specific to their needs such as specialty procedures for dealing with rail car emergency response and product transfer. Over 120 trainees have undergone these specific courses, and have continued to return for annual refreshers for the past five years. | | Emergency Response Training | | For almost ten years, SEEM developed and delivered a customized training program to meet the requirements of a major national motor freight carrier’s company-specific spill protocols as well as industry standards and government regulations. SEEM’s training teams provided hazardous material emergency response training to more than 2,000 client terminal employees each year at 47 U.S. terminals, in 29 different states. The training was conducted for dock workers and supervisors, as well as garage personnel and dispatchers. Managers were provided with incident command training that was developed around the client’s own Emergency Operations Plan. The purpose of the training was to reduce the "down time" on the docks when a spill of chemical or other potential hazardous materials occurred, and also to reduce the cost of calling in a professional cleanup contractor. The trainees learned how to determine how critical a spill was, and if they could safely clean it up themselves. All participants were trained on the proper cleanup and disposal protocol to follow when the client cleaned up their own dock spills. | | Emergency Response Training | | SEEM delivered a customized training program for a confidential Michigan chemical manufacturer that provides OSHA HaZwoper Technician Level training in accordance with the company’s standard operating procedures and emergency response plans. The training is for approximately 50+ participants, and is held at SEEM’s Environmental Resource Training Center in Findlay, Ohio. The training consists of both classroom and hands-on experiences including mock emergency responses to potential incidents that could occur at this facility. | | Emergency Response Training | | SEEM has developed and delivered a series of hazardous materials-oriented emergency response courses to volunteer firefighters and other public first responders throughout Ohio. These courses are funded by a grant from The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO). Courses include Awareness, Operations, and Technician-level Emergency Response, as well as Incident Command and Emergency Response Refresher, and a specialized Emergency Response to Rail Car and Emergency Transfer Course. The delivery format has been unique in that classes are taught in the evenings and on weekends at the firefighters’ locations. To date over 3,950 volunteer firefighters and public first responders have been trained through over 250 different class offerings at more than 100 locations throughout Ohio. | | Emergency Response, Environmental and OSHA Safety Training | | SEEM developed and continues to deliver a series of environmental, health and safety, emergency response, incident command and industrial/corporate security courses for one of the Big-Three U.S. auto manufacturers. SEEM training teams have trained approximately 3,000 client personnel annually at more than 30 facilities throughout Michigan and Ohio, as well as other states in the Midwest Northeast, and Southeast. SEEM develops the training programs using the company’s specific practices, SOP’s, Spill Control and Countermeasure Plans and other industry and plant standards. The purpose of the training is to reduce hazardous materials spills, improve overall company compliance with various environmental and OSHA Regulations, and make the corporation a better "corporate citizen". Additionally, SEEM has been an active planner and participant in the firm’s annual Emergency Response Team (ERT) "Challenge", where ER Teams from various plants come to compete in mock drills that test their knowledge and expertise in applying the training principles to real-life emergency situations. | | Emergency Response, OSHA Safety and DOT Safety Training | | Over the past 6+ years SEEM has designed and delivered training services for the Occupational Safety & Environmental Health department of a major state-supported university in the Upper Midwest. The program relates to university emergency response team (Technician-Level), annual ER Refresher, OSHA Hazardous Waste Site Worker, Incident Command and DOT training requirements. SEEM conducts this training on an annual basis in order to sharpen the skills of its campus response teams. The training is provided at the client’s campus, where spill response and emergency scenarios are customized to their facilities, organizational structure, potential risks, department of public safety needs and university power plant requirements. To date, over 1,100 certificates have been issued for successful completion of training through the offering of 70 individual classes to University employees. | | Emergency Response, Rail Car Response, Incident Command and OSHA Safety Training | | UF designs and delivers a customized training program for one of the major oil and gas producers in the U.S. This customized program satisfies regulatory compliance, updates employees responsible care awareness, encourages employee safety and the protection of the environment, updates requirements for transporters of hazardous materials, and minimizes downtime. To date, The University of Findlay has trained a total of 650 employees throughout Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Tennessee, and Texas. An example of a typical training program might include the following classes: OSHA 40-Hour Hazardous Site Worker, Awareness, Operations and Technician Levels of Emergency Response for Terminals & Transport, Emergency Response for Pipeline Operations, Emergency Response for Off-Shore Drilling Operations, Incident Commander, and Rail and Tank Car Specialist. The Program is designed in accordance with the company’s facility response plans and other site or client specific protocols. The on-location training consists of both classroom and hands-on experiences, including mock emergency responses to a variety of incidents. |
| Law Enforcement/ Corporate Security | | Firearms Simulation Training | | CTP delivered Firearms Training Systems (FATS) to nearly all non-administrative county law enforcement personnel for mid-size Ohio County Sheriff’s department. Our instructor coordinated the training schedule and curriculum with the county safety and training officers, and incorporated departmental policies and procedures in the hands-on training which included the use of chemical spray, baton, handcuffs and firearms. Our program exceeded the primary goal of the department which was to provide affordable training to nearly one hundred officers and to test the officer’s decision-making skills and to their response to simulated situations. All officers, special deputies, jailers, and staff participated.
The judgmental training provided by The University of Findlay proved very beneficial for several officers who were involved in a real-life situation that required the use of lethal force a few weeks after the training. In fact, the officers involved stated that the training they received helped them make the right decisions and survive a life-or-death situation. | | Firearms Simulation Training for Hospital Security Force | | SEEM delivered on-location Firearms Training Systems (FATS) that involved all forty-five security personnel of a local hospital/medical center. The SEEM instructor coordinated the training schedule and curriculum with the Chief of Security and Management to incorporate departmental policies and procedures into the training. In this case, a greater emphasis was placed on the officer’s verbal communication skills used to deal with a situation that may occur. The goal of the security staff is to diffuse or de-escalate the incident and hopefully eliminate the need for the use of force.
The training program included the use of communication and verbal skills, empty-hand techniques, as well as the use of baton, chemical spray and firearms. The training exceeded the expectations of the Chief of Security and will be incorporated into an annual training program for security personnel at the medical center. In the future, The University of Findlay will create additional scenarios that will involve hospital and security staff. These scenarios will be created and filmed at the client’s facilities to enhance future training at not only this medical center, but other medical centers as well. | | Firearms Simulation Training for Law Enforcement | | SEEM has delivered Firearms Training Systems (FATS) for many local law enforcement agencies. The goal of the agencies and departments is to provide effective training to as many officers as possible at an affordable cost. To date, over five hundred officers have participated in the training programs. The training, which normally is conducted on location, includes officers from the County Sheriff and Municipal Police Departments who are interested in maximizing participation and sharing training expenses.
Collectively, over five hundred officers from more than a dozen different departments have participated in and benefited from our FATS training programs. Frequently, the training was conducted during non-normal working hours to accommodate the various schedules of law enforcement personnel.
The goal of our training program is to test the decision-making skills of the officers and to provide realistic training that will improve their response to real-life situations that they will face. To accomplish this, The University of Findlay will tailor the program to meet the needs of the participating agencies with hands-on training to include verbal communications, prisoner control techniques, handcuffing, use of baton, chemical spray and firearms. | | Terrorism Awareness Training | | SEEM developed and delivered a one-day Emergency Response to Terrorism Awareness training course for operations-level responders at a federal defense airbase, located in the Midwest. The audience included engineers, environmental, safety & health professionals, security personnel and contractors. The course agenda was designed for and approved by base staff. It included risk assessment, an in-depth review of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive agents, and guidelines for recognizing and responding to acts of terrorism. The training program concluded with a facility-specific tabletop exercise. The airbase conducted the training in order to improve their knowledge and skills on the issues arising around a potential terrorist attack. | | Train-the-Trainer for Terrorism Response for Law Enforcement | | Throughout 2004, SEEM has been providing Subject Matter Experts (SME’s) to create and deliver a one week long, heavily hands-on oriented, Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Train-the-Trainer course for Sheriff’s Departments across the United States. The courses are scheduled for completion early 2005, with actual offering of the classes to begin in June 2005 at UF. SEEM has been selected as one of only three locations across the country where this training program will take place. | | Workplace Violence Training | | SEEM has developed and is delivering a comprehensive Workplace Violence Prevention and Awareness training program for over 8,000 employees of a Fortune 500 pharmaceuticals company headquartered in the Northeast, with facilities worldwide. Our program is divided into an Awareness Phase and an Ongoing Training Phase and includes the following: 1) Executive Overview; 2) Training for Response Teams; 3) Operational Management Training; 4) Awareness Training for all Employees; 5) CD for Managers; 6) Written Workplace Violence Program. In addition to assisting the Company in creating a written Workplace Violence Plan, the program incorporates a blended-learning approach to effective training that includes face-to-face training, developing a CD for managers, and creating a series of Awareness level training videos scenarios that will be presented via the Company Intranet. One of the video scenarios will be for workers, and will show what workplace violence is and isn’t, and what the worker should do when they see, or suspect it. The second video is for supervisors, and will show what is and isn’t workplace violence as well as how the supervisor should deal with their employees who report it, as well as how to properly report suspected incidents up the chain of command, per the company policy. |
| OSHA Safety Training | | Campus wide OSHA Safety Training | | SEEM, working through a private nonprofit institution of higher learning’s Risk Management Committee, planned and is implementing a campus-wide 10-Hour OSHA General Industry Compliance program. Some departments’ training may be expanded to a full 30-Hour program. The overall training program is being implemented in the interests of improved worker safety and awareness. The plan is actually being expanded to incorporate training topics other than OSHA General Industry standards, such as Emergency Response Operations Level, Confined Space, Threat Assessment Management, Unified Command Structure, Crisis Response Plan implementation and other topics that are identified on the Campus-wide training matrix. To date, over 70 University Employees have been trained. | | Confined Space Entrant/Attendant, Confined Space Rescue, and Incident Command Training | | For the past 5 + years, SEEM has been customizing and providing Emergency Response, Incident Command and Confined Space Entrant/Attendant, Supervisor, and Rescue training workshops for a specialty (and hazardous) metals processor. This training is provided at both SEEM’s indoor and outdoor training facilities located in Findlay, OH, as well as at the client’s location. All exercises and scenarios are presented in accordance with the client’s response plans, permits and procedures, as well as applicable federal regulations. To date, over 500 employees from this company have received training. | | OSHA Safety and Emergency Response Train-the-Trainer | | SEEM developed and presented Train-the-Trainer programs in accordance with OSHA Hazardous Waste Site Worker and Emergency Response training requirements as well as corporate policies for a Fortune 100 international food products and derivatives manufacturer. In addition, a series of Annual Refreshers were provided at the HaZwoper Operations through Incident Command Level for the firm’s Environmental, Safety and Health personnel from several U.S. facilities. | | Simulated Firearms Training for Corporate Security Client | | SEEM created a two-day training session using Firearms Training Systems (FATS) on location to personnel of a private security firm responsible for the safety and security of an Executive for several Fortune 100 companies. CTP’s instructor coordinated the training schedule and curriculum with the client’s Chief of Security and Management. Additional training scenarios specific to the client’s physical property and facilities will be filmed and produced by SEEM to enhance future training for this particular client. |
| Public Health/ Medical | | Bio-Terrorism Quick-Reference Wall Chart | | CTP developed a Bio-Terrorism Preparedness and Response Wall Chart for use in hospital emergency departments as an aid to physicians, technicians, nurses, and others to recognize and respond to a covert bio-terrorism attack. The charts are divided into sections that include key signs and symptoms, recommended precautions for each of the principal biological agents, indicators that the specific agents may be present, assault clues, and contact numbers for local, state, and federal agencies. To-date, over 10,000 wall charts are in use across the United States by hospitals, health departments, EMS providers, fire departments, police departments and other First Responders. | | Bioterrorism Tabletop Exercise | | SEEM developed and facilitated a tabletop exercise for the Regional Medical Response System (RMRS), represented by the Department of Public Safety for a major Midwest City. The exercise involved a simulated release of anthrax and was designed to test the ability of the RMRS to communicate and move resources where they were needed across county boundaries. The exercise scenario involved the response to a covert release of anthrax at a sporting event occurring in a major metropolitan area. The exercise involved over 200 individuals from five counties ranging from first responders to hospital officials to the local FBI office. The event was held at the County Emergency Operations Center where representatives from each county were located in separate rooms to simulate their response to the incident and to test the communications between the counties. | | Emergency Preparedness and Response to WMD Training | | In a rapid-turnaround fashion, SEEM developed and delivered a State-wide program involving a series of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) training classes for Emergency Medical Service (EMS) providers. The State Department of Public Safety sponsored the training through grant funding. The grant was part of an initial release of Federal Homeland Security funds. The purpose of the program was to provide relevant training to potential First Responders who might have to deal with issues of WMD. A secondary benefit was to provide pertinent Continuing Education Hours for annual recertification of EMS providers in the State. This was a fast-track program which began in March 2002 and ended in September 2002. The courses include WMD Awareness, Operations, and Technician Level training. The classes were provided to EMS entities at more than 40 local venues around the state and at times convenient to the trainees. The program served more than 1,200 individuals. | | Hospital Decontamination Operations | | SEEM delivers First Receiver oriented decontamination training to a large health organization in Ohio and several individual hospitals across the state. These organizations are pleased with The University of Findlay’s ability to conduct the class on different shifts to make the training available to all necessary employees. The customized program delivers the information needed to perform decontamination operations in a hospital environment for potentially contaminated victims. The program meets and exceeds all OSHA and JCAHO regulatory requirements, is focused on the needs of the First Receiver, and matches classroom lectures with practical hands-on training using the hospital’s own decontamination equipment. The training also encompasses a review of the hospital’s current emergency response plan so all trained employees understand what their role and function will be in a live incident. If your hospital has not purchased equipment, The University of Findlay can bring state-of-the-art decontamination equipment including a 216 square foot decontamination tent to your hospital for the training. Over 300 trainees across the state of Ohio have completed this training to date. | | Hospital Decontamination Planning & Consulting | | SEEM also has developed decontamination plans, decontamination room blueprints, and helped in purchasing equipment to set up Decontamination Teams at various hospitals. One program developed by SEEM involved a hospital serving two counties and requiring a complete program developed and implemented. SEEM was able to develop a complete customized decontamination plan, compile equipment lists, prepare recommendations on PPE and respiratory protection, assist with purchasing the agreed upon equipment, and conduct the necessary training to implement the team within three months. | | National Incident Management System and Mass Casualty Decontamination Training | | SEEM developed a two-day workshop for both the city and county Health Departments that was tailored to meet the specific needs of each department. More than twenty nurses, doctors, sanitarians, commissioners, inspectors and general staff participated. Topics covered in day one centered on practical exercises, review of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and evaluating internal and external capabilities. Day Two focused on respiratory protection, personal protective equipment (PPE) and hands-on exercises involving a mass casualty incident requiring Level C protection and communications with other agencies and first responders. The City and County Health Department conducted the training in order to be more prepared for a potential terrorist attack. An advanced program is currently in the planning stages. |
| School Safety/ Security | | Extensive School Safety and Security Program Development and Implementation | | SEEM is under contract to develop and implement an extensive school safety and security program for a Midwest school system. The program will be implemented in two phases: an initial Awareness Phase, and an Ongoing Training Phase. During the initial Awareness Phase, a 6 to 8-hour awareness training for emergency response and crisis management course will be conducted for all of the school system’s employees - teachers, administrators, coaches, adjuncts, school nurses, cafeteria workers, custodians, etc. A modified 2-hour version of this course will also be conducted for all students and parents. A specialized 2-hour course will be conducted for all school system bus drivers, with the express purpose of informing them of the school systems emergency response plan, and their role in it. During the On-going Training Phase, SEEM will develop and deliver a 3-day Threat Assessment Management Training Course for approximately 15 of the school systems top administrators. The goal will be to implement an ongoing Threat Assessment Management Program at each individual school building in the system. In addition, SEEM will consult with this particular school system on the development of emergency evacuation plans, school building security needs assessments, development of a Hazard Communication Program, and other related efforts. To test the effectiveness of the existing Emergency Operations Plans, a series of tabletop exercises will be developed and delivered, culminating in a large, full-scale exercise which will be implemented across the entire school system. This full-scale exercise will also be coordinated with the Community First Responder Network, including: police, fire, EMS, EMA, Public Health Agencies, and other appropriate personnel. | | School Safety and Security, All Hazards Approach CD-ROM | | SEEM/CTP developed a CD-ROM to prepare school employees for terrorist attacks and other acts of violence, as well as preparedness tools for natural disaster and accidents. The purpose of the training CD is to ensure proper planning, prevention, and response in the event of acts including bomb threats, chemical or biological incidents, tornadoes, hazardous materials spills, etc. The goal of the CD is not to frighten, but to educate school personnel on standard techniques and procedures that will help ensure the safety of staff and students if an incident does occur. The CD-ROM is broken down into 10 sections based upon job category, such as teacher, custodian, administrator, school nurse, coach, cafeteria worker, or bus driver. Video scenarios are given for each job category, showing one or more scenes involving a suspicious incident or event. The result of an improper response is then discussed, and a checklist is given of the proper procedures and preparation for such incidents. This checklist can also be printed for a reference, and a resource section presents relevant links for additional material. One major school district in North Central Ohio has purchased over 200 of these CD-ROMs. One CD is included in each of the School District’s Safety Manuals that are distributed to all employees. | | School Threat Assessment Management Training and Program Implementation | | SEEM custom designed a school district wide Threat Assessment Management Training Program that was developed and implemented over a two-year period. The program consisted of four main phases: Phase I Identifying Threats Phase II Crisis Response Phase III Crisis Recovery Phase IV Test the Plan (Tabletop Exercise) The desired outcome of the program was a Threat Management Team that would be better prepared to identify threats before an incident occurs. Approximately 25 school officials received this intensive training. Over the course of the project, the school district’s internal plans were updated and improved. The tabletop exercise resulted in an After Action Report that includes a Corrective Action Plan that discusses potential weaknesses in the plan and prescribes appropriate actions that will be taken within a specified time to address and correct the weakness and improve the overall preparedness of the district. |
| Webcasting | | Webcast – Biological Contamination, Mass decontamination, and Public Health Medical response | | Please see the Webcast description of the Chlorine leak from a rail car for a description of what a Webcast is and what advantages it provides.
This Webcast, the second in an ongoing series of live, interactive “broadcasts” over the Internet, focused on a biological contamination event. The event itself was a political rally at the University, where a perpetrator released an aerosol biological contaminant – T-2-Mycotoxin. This particular biological agent causes skin and eye irritation, as well as respiratory problems. The event moves from the release at the University to multiple victims showing up at the local hospital either via self transport, or via ambulance. The victims initially enter the Emergency Department, contaminating it as well as the security guards. Large scale mass decontamination equipment is then mobilized to decontaminate the victims prior to triage. Pre-recorded video segments were used to include specific detail on Customized Decontamination Shelters, detailed information on the health effects of the T-2 Mycotoxin, information from the Public Health officials on their role in incidents like this, and direction form the State Department of Health Officials on what their role would be. | | Webcast – Emergency response to Chlorine Leak from a Rail Car | | On May 17th, 2005, SEEM conducted the first in a series of live, interactive Webcast training scenarios, which are “broadcast” live over the Internet. This approach is excellent for bringing people from various levels from multiple locations together to participate in an integrated exercise, as it eliminates the need for everyone to travel to the same location, as all they need to do is watch on their computer. Since the Webcasts are interactive, trainees can answer questions or ask questions on-line while the event is taking place. In addition, the trainees can even help decide (through a polling of all the participants) what should be done next in the scenario. Pre tests, post tests, and trainee evaluations are also easy to administer and control. The Webcasts can also be archived for future use.
The first Webcast was primarily a pilot, and dealt with a Chlorine leak from a railcar. The focus was on the response made by the First Responder Community – primarily police, fire and EMS. The scenario included a victim who needed decontaminate and transported to the hospital. It also involved a HazMat team responding to fix the leaking rail car. Local industry shelter-in-place and police barricades were also utilized. Various pre-recorded video segments dealt with such topics as: what are the health effects of Chlorine; what is the appropriate safety equipment to wear to respond to a Chlorine incident; how the victim would be treated once he reached the hospital; and how the various Chlorine repair kits work, and when to utilize them. The audience was asked to response to various questions including when to rescue the victim – when the firefighters first responded, or wait until the Hazmat Team arrives with more appropriate protective equipment. You can view an archived version of this Webcast at http://seem.findlay.edu/webcasts/ |
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