Published Dec. 16, 2021
The University of Louisiana Monroe 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. ULM Photo
“The ULM Police Department continues to research and implement the best practices
that provide safety and security to the ULM campus. CERT offers the basic knowledge
and skills so ULM 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
ULM Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice,
University Police Department Training Director and CERT trainer
“It’s not if something happens here; it’s when something happens.”
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.
ULM 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 ULM 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 ULM 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’s volatile weather.
Allison Thompson applies a tourniquet to Kelli Cole.
“Critical 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 ULM Emergency Response Plan to assist
us maintain the best level of preparation possible for ULM,” 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.
“The ULM Police Department continues to research and implement the best practices
that provide safety and security to the ULM campus. CERT offers the basic knowledge
and skills so ULM CERT team members can be effective support to our full-time, professional
first responders who may be overwhelmed in times of a critical incident,” Johnson
said.
CERT presenters included: Tracy Hilburn, Governor’s 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, ULM Associate Professor of Criminal Justice and Psychology, and CERT
trainer; Lt. Kent and Dr. Johnson.
“Our 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,” said
Bonner. “We 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.”
Another Campus CERT training is tentatively planned for April at ULM.
Volunteer Louisiana of Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser’s Office sponsored the CERT training
with funding through a grant from the Volunteer Generation Fund. Coordinators with
Volunteer Louisiana at ULM were Lori Pilley, Director of Volunteer Services, and Heather
Mazeitis-Fontenot Amanda Smith, Disaster Services specialists.
