OIT is feeling prepared after the Emergency Preparedness Fair

Have you ever considered what to do in the case of an emergency? Do you know what to do if someone becomes unresponsive and stops breathing? If an armed intruder enters the building, do you know how to react? Do you have an emergency kit that contains the right essentials?

Many OIT’ers can now confidently answer “yes” to each of these questions.

For its second year, the OIT Emergency Preparedness Fair returned to the Power House on Monday, April 1, 2024. First responders and emergency management professionals from the Duke and Durham community joined to share their expertise with OIT employees.

Dividing into small groups, OIT’ers rotated through each of the five sessions: CPR and AED, Stop the Bleed, Fire Safety, Workplace Violence, and Emergencies at Home for Hybrid Workers.

During the CPR and AED session, employees learned how to perform hands-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED). To the learn the basics of hands-only CPR and AED use, read this guide from the American Heart Association. Duke University EMS is an American Heart Association-certified training site. You can register on the Duke EMS website for CPR/AED and First Aid certification courses as well as free hands-only CPR, First Aid, and safety training non-certifying courses. See a full list of AED locations at Duke.

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In the Stop the Bleed session, participants learned how to assess the situation and know the warning signs when someone is experiencing severe bleeding. OIT’ers learned the steps of applying pressure to wounds and applying a tourniquet. Visit the Stop the Bleed website for more resources and information.

OIT’ers had the opportunity to put out a virtual fire during the Fire Safety session. Duke Fire and Life Safety discussed the importance of RACE: Remove all occupants, Alert/Activate alarm, Confine/Contain fire, and Extinguish or Evacuate. Participants also learned the about the five different classes of fire and how certain fire extinguishers are required for each. Learn more about Duke Fire and Life Safety and learn more about Duke’s fire procedures.

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During the Workplace Violence session, OIT’ers learned about Duke’s Workplace Violence Prevention and Response Policy, when to report behaviors and situations to supervisors and the Duke University Police Department, how awareness and action can often result in prevention, how to react if an armed intruder enters the building, and more. OIT employees were also introduced to DukeALERT, Alert Durham, and the Citizens’ Police Academy. Did you know that you can text 911 for help in many counties throughout North Carolina including Durham, Wake, and Orange County?

In the Emergencies at Home for Hybrid Workers session, participants were advised to make plans to be prepared in various emergency situations. OIT employees were also encouraged to stay informed by having various alerts turned on and to have a redundant Internet connection if possible. Participants also learned how to build emergency kits for their homes and cars. Home emergency kits should include sufficient supplies to last 72 hours in the event of an emergency while car kits can be smaller. A few items to include are flashlights or headlamps, a first aid kit, water, a warm blanket, and non-perishable food. Learn more basic supplies you can include in your emergency kit.

A big thanks to Camille Jackson and Trina Rodriguez for planning the event; to Duke Emergency Management, Duke EMS, Duke Police, Duke Fire and Life Safety, and to the Red Cross for speaking or leading sessions; to Jamie Palmer for discussing safety awareness at the Power House; and to Martay Smith for providing welcoming remarks. Also, thank you to every OIT’er who attended and participated at the OIT Emergency Preparedness Fair.