COVID-19 Resources from the LSU National Center for Biomedical Research and Training

The LSU National Center for Biomedical Research and Training is a nationally recognized center for emergency preparedness and response training located at Louisiana State University’s flagship campus.

MICRO-MODULES: ACTIVE THREATS

  • CAN Reports and SIM
    The LSU NCBRT/ACE CAN and SIM video presentation teaches emergency responders the key principles of Conditions, Actions, and Needs (CAN) reports and how to use Security, Immediate Action Plan, Medical Intervention (SIM) during an active threat incident. These principles can assist first responders to identify needs and rapidly respond to active threat incidents.
  • Contact Teams
    The LSU NCBRT/ACE Contact Teams video presentation will address contact team concepts, principles, and priorities. These include solo officer entries, bypassing the wounded, and directing follow-on responders.
  • RTF Formation
    The LSU NCBRT/ACE Rescue Task Force (RTF) Formation video presentation provides emergency responders an informational reminder of key principles surrounding the formation and response of the RTF in an active shooter or active threat incident.
  • Direct Threat Care-Tourniquets
    The LSU NCBRT/ACE Direct Threat Care-Tourniquets video presentation serves to remind emergency responders of key tourniquet application principles in a direct threat care environment.
  • Direct Pressure
    The LSU NCBRT/ACE Direct Pressure video presentation instructs emergency responders on key principles for applying direct pressure to injuries sustained during an active threat incident when tourniquets may not be an option.
  • Zones of Operation
    The LSU NCBRT/ACE Zones of Operation presentation identifies zones of operation which are defined by the relative level of threat. These designations determine where certain actions and specific personnel are allowed to operate. This presentation identifies and labels areas at the scene based on knowledge of the potential threat(s) in each of those areas and by assigning identifiers: the hot zone, or areas of highest risk; the warm zone, areas of intermediate risk; and the cold zone, areas of least risk with regard to the incident.

NCBRT PREPAREDNESS PODCAST: SUICIDE PREVENTION IN THE FIRST RESPONDER COMMUNITY SERIES

  • Suicide Prevention in the First Responder Community: Culture, Support, and Resources

    This week’s episode of the podcast finishes up our three-part series focused on suicide prevention in the emergency responder community. We discuss reducing the stigma around mental health and the resources that are available to a responder. Today we welcome back our co-host Dr. Carolyn Coarsey of the Family Assistance Foundation and guests Dr. April Foreman, board member of the American Association of Suicidology, and behavioral health specialist Sarah Bernes from the International Association of Fire Fighters.

    If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or text HOME to 741741. Both of these confidential resources are available 24/7.

    Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Anchor, or wherever you listen to podcasts. 

  • Suicide Prevention in the First Responder Community: Clinical Treatment

    On this week’s episode, we continue our three-part series focused on responders and suicide prevention with co-host Dr. Carolyn Coarsey of the Family Assistance Foundation and guests Dr. April Foreman and behavioral health specialist Sarah Bernes. This week, we discuss what mental health professionals need to know when treating a first responder, the most effective treatments for responders experiencing a mental health crisis. Specific topics include the safety planning intervention method and how it can help responders cope with a mental health crisis, and how the caring contacts method can reduce the chance of suicide.

    If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or text HOME to 741741. Both of these confidential resources are available 24/7.

    Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Anchor, or wherever you listen to podcasts. 

  • Suicide Prevention in the First Responder Community: An Introduction

    On this week’s episode, we begin a new, three-part series focused on responders and suicide prevention. This week, we discuss topics such as the overlap among veterans and first responders, the heightened risk of trauma exposure in responder professions, and the challenges behind collecting accurate data on responder suicide rates. Carolyn Coarsey, Ph.D, mental health coordinator and president and co-founder of the Family Assistance Foundation, joins host Ashley Markle for this series. Other guests include April Foreman, Ph.D, board member of the American Association of Suicidology; and Sarah Burns, behavioral health specialist for the International Association of Firefighters.

    If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or text HOME to 741741. Both of these confidential resources are available 24/7.

    Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Anchor, or wherever you listen to podcasts. 

NCBRT PREPAREDNESS PODCAST: SHERIFFS ON RESILIENCES SERIES

Chiefs Steven Casstevens and Kristen Ziman (with Roy Bethge)

  • Sheriffs on Resilience: Public Safety 2021
    In this episode of the podcast, NCBRT subject matter expert Roy Bethge joins host Ashley Markle again to continue our conversations on the idea of responder resilience. They talk with Denita Ball, Chief Deputy of the Milwaukee Sheriff’s Department, and Gus Handke, Undersheriff for Carter County, Oklahoma, to get their perspectives on how both urban and rural departments view topics like resilience and the COVID-19 pandemic. They also discuss the unique positions that sheriffs, as elected officials, are in to address issues like public opinion and transparency in policing.

    Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Anchor, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

  • Sheriffs on Resilience: Mental Health
    In this episode, Ashley and Roy continue their conversation about responder wellness with Denita Ball, Chief Deputy of the Milwaukee Sheriff’s Department, and Gus Handke, Undersheriff for Carter County, Oklahoma. They discuss the importance of de-stigmatizing seeking help for mental health issues and how to change the culture in law enforcement that may discourage an officer for openly discussing mental health challenges.

    Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Anchor, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

  • Sheriffs on Resilience: Resources
    This episode features the third and final part of Ashley and Roy’s conversation about responder wellness with Denita Ball, Chief Deputy of the Milwaukee Sheriff’s Department, and Gus Handke, Undersheriff for Carter County, Oklahoma. They discuss how to balance the desire for higher levels of education for officers with the importance of recruiting officers from diverse backgrounds and experiences. They also talk about how scenario-based training both in police academies and in the field can be improved to help officers improve their critical thinking skills and abilities to deescalate adverse situations in the field.

    Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Anchor, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

NCBRT PREPAREDNESS PODCAST: POLICE CHIEFS ON RESILIENCES SERIES

Chiefs Steven Casstevens and Kristen Ziman (with Roy Bethge)

  • Police Chiefs on Resilience: Public Safety in Crisis
    In this episode of the LSU NCBRT Preparedness Podcast, we come back to the topic of resilience: what does officer resilience mean in the midst of both a pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement? How can responders care for their own mental health while confronting uncomfortable truths? What changes will be made to police departments following the protests to both increase public safety and transparency within departments? Our guests are Kristen Ziman, Aurora, Illinois police chief and Vice President of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, and Steve Casstevens, Buffalo Grove, Illinois police chief and president of the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Kristen and Steve discuss these important topics with host Ashley Markle and NCBRT subject matter expert Roy Bethge. Next week, we will discuss the mental health impacts that these traumas have on the law enforcement community, the stigma of seeking help for mental health issues, and the importance of changing the culture within law enforcement to improve resiliency.

    Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Anchor, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

  • Police Chiefs on Resilience: Mental Health
    In this week’s episode, host Ashley Markle and NCBRT subject matter expert Roy Bethge continue their conversation with Chiefs Kristen Ziman and Steve Casstevens from the International Association of Chiefs of Police. They talk about the stigma around getting help for mental health issues in the law enforcement community, the risks that not seeking help has on job performance, and the importance of engaging in open and honest discussions about mental health. They also discuss and how departments can make resources like wellness checks and peer support systems more widely available, and how department leaders and encourage their officers to utilize those resources.

    Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Anchor, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

  • Police Chiefs on Resilience: Resources
    In this week’s episode, host Ashley Markle and NCBRT subject matter expert Roy Bethge finish up their conversation with Chiefs Kristen Ziman and Steve Casstevens from the International Association of Chiefs of Police about the resources police departments need to create the kind of environment that allows responders to become resilient. In the wake of both the COVID-19 pandemic and the tension of the Black Lives Matter movement, they also discuss the importance of creating strong and transparent relationships with the community and how to create support networks both inside and outside of individual agencies.

    Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Anchor, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

COVID-19 WEBINARS

  • EOC Operations During Social Distancing: LSU NCBRT/ACE presents this week’s webinar which features protocol during social distancing for Emergency Operations Centers. [5/7/2020]
  • Alternate Care Sites: This LSU NCBRT/ACE webinar focuses on Alternate Care Sites during a pandemic. The presentation includes information on setting up alternative care sites and how alternative sites can relieve some of the burden on hospitals. [5/1/2020]
  • Responder Wellness During COVID-19: In this webinar, LSU NCBRT/ACE examines aspects of COVID-19 that may cause anxiety or stress for the responder community. The video also offers techniques that responders can practice to help manage or mitigate that anxiety. [4/24/2020]

COVID-19 ROLL CALL VIDEOS

  • First Responder PPE Guidelines: This 11-minute video provides an overview of protective gear available to responders for outbreak response. It addresses how the gear protects people, what its limitations may be, and techniques for properly donning and doffing PPE so responders can adequately protect themselves. [5/13/2020]
  • Officer Safety: Time, Distance and Shielding: This animated video serves as a visual tool for highlighting the proper precautions that officers and emergency responders should take when performing their day-to-day operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The video includes a basic summary on how COVID-19 is spread, recommendations for interactions with the public, and steps on how to properly sanitize equipment and clothing. [4/15/2020] 
  • Safer at Home Training: In this short video, LSU NCBRT/ACE provides tips for emergency responders on how to ensure that they are protecting themselves, their families and their homes from COVID-19 exposure after a shift. The video lays out simple things that responders can do, like how to deal with potentially contaminated clothing and how to sanitize areas in their homes to limit the risk of exposure. [4/8/2020]
  • CDC Sequence for Donning and Doffing PPE: LSU NCBRT/ACE created a 6-minute video, “CDC Sequence for Donning and Doffing PPE,” that walks viewers step-by-step through the guidelines prescribed by the CDC for donning and doffing a gown, mask/respirator, face shield, and gloves. [4/5/2020]
  • COVID-19 Roll Call Training Materials: LSU NCBRT/ACE has developed a COVID-19 Roll Call Training for law enforcement that addresses officer safety during the COVID-19 outbreak. The training provides information on how officers can keep themselves safe before, during, and after contact with others in the course of their job. It also addresses steps officers can take at the end of a shift to go home safely. The package consists of an 18-minute training video and a job aid. [3/27/2020]

PANDEMIC RESPONSE PODCASTS

Request COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease) Training

LSU NCBRT/ACE has developed a new course to address the novel coronavirus. Biological Incidents Awareness: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (AWR-324) is a mobile seven-hour awareness-level course that will provide participants with general knowledge about COVID-19 and the protective measures that will help guard against further spread of the disease. The primary target audience for this course is focused on first responders and emergency management personnel who need general knowledge about COVID-19 and the protective measures and equipment that will help guard against further spread of the disease.

The course is undergoing final content review by CDC/HHS before it can be scheduled. In order to expedite scheduling once we have a firm rollout date, we have created a training request specific to Bio Awareness: COVID-19. The completed request will be routed to the training manager for your FEMA region.

Request Biological Incidents Awareness: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Training

The course addresses the following topics:

  • Disease types and outbreak history
  • Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
  • Prevention and universal precaution
  • Personal protection
  • Self-decontamination
  • Containment and scene control