Saline County Kansas

Saline County Kansas:

We have had several students who are either “developmentally challenged” or are considered a “troubled” student. This class has enabled them to come out of their shell and excel, building their confidence and the school has noticed a marked improvement in their performance in other classes. It is tricky but it is not something that is impossible to overcome, you just have to have patience and be able to challenge them to perform. The skills that each student learns in this class enables them to work as a team, able to overcome any and all obstacles that are placed in their way and it brings out the leadership qualities that remain hidden in so many. It truly is an amazing thing to watch and is very hard to explain. One difference that I have noticed in teaching CERT to High School students when compared to adults is that you must continuously challenge them to excel, as today’s kids live in a very fast-paced world compared to when I was their age. You have to be able to communicate with them and let them know up-front that they are expected to be the best.

We constantly are working to improve the course and one of the toughest things is to come up with realistic, challenging scenarios. You MUST build in numerous obstacles in the scenario. Some of them that we have used in past exercises include:

All responders working out of one backpack (having to scrounge for supplies). Working in total darkness with one working flashlight. All victims are deafened by an explosion that caused the problem to begin with. Mr. and Miss Helper – people that are constantly following the rescuer’s around bugging them to let them help. Hysterical bystanders. Blocked doorways.

And many, many more. You can’t make it just a simple thing or it doesn’t make them use their instincts and training to their full ability.

Dean K. Speaks, KCEM Deputy Director Saline County Emergency Management 255 N. 10th Salina, KS 67401 [email protected]