Ensuring Safe Places to Work and Learn
The BSD Safety & Security department recently hosted its Disaster Skills Challenge Training Class to provide emergency response role training for custodians and support staff in the district. This training highlights that personnel are the district’s most important safety resource and affirms BSD’s commitment to ensuring that we have safe places to work and learn.
“Responding to a disaster is challenging at times, but it’s through training, the training that we’re providing the staff members this week, that will make our school district more resilient and a safer place to work and learn.”
-Douglas James, Director of Security
Providing High-Level Training
The training included hands-on classroom learning as well as a simulated disaster response scenario. Participants worked through interactive modules covering the stages of disasters, which included: initial response, incident command, building damage assessment, search and rescue, transport of wounded individuals, disaster medical and triage, reunification and demobilization. Other topics covered included:
- How to identify and treat those who need immediate care
- Treating excessive bleeding
- Fire safety and suppression
- Working and communicating as a team amid disasters
- Disaster psychology and how the body reacts in stressful situations
- Family and personal preparedness
“Through this exercise I’ve learned that in case of a real emergency, it’s going to be very hectic and confusing, but I’ve learned how to keep calm, how to help people and keep everyone moving in the right direction.”
-William Gary, Head Custodian, Sherwood Forest Elementary