Post by: Kim Stephens
This is a representative sample of tweets from the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training, sponsored by Serve DC–the Mayor’s Office of Volunteerism, at Gallaudet University, July 10-12, 2012. Everyone, both trainees and first responders alike, learned a lot!
-
Looking forward to 3 days of training with servedc. #dcdeafcert0
likes·
-
#dcdeafcert Often in a disaster the FIRST responders are your neighbors. That is where CERT comes in.0
likes·
0
comments -
We had some great guests speak at the training including Chris Geldart, the Director of the District’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, as well as Neil McDevitt, a former FEMA employee, firefighter and Gallaudet alum.
-
There were numerous guests in attendance because this was a pretty special event: the first CERT training in ASL in the District of Columbia.
-
RT @Kim26stephens: @stephjoke Sorry–first CERT training in #ASL in DC, right? #dcdeafcert YEA, THAT! #deaf #Gallaudet0
likes·
0
comments -
The CERT training included several unique components: the facilitators added 3 specific focus groups, one per day, to explore how the emergency management community and the deaf and hard of hearing community can communicate better before, during and after a crisis. There were three focus groups–one for the hearing participants, one for deaf and hard of hearing participants, and one for the interpreters. Each of these sessions were video taped and quite well received by all involved.
-
RT @Kim26stephens: #dcdeafcert This training will include focus groups exploring issues related to the deaf community and EM. #smem #demx0
likes·
0
comments -
The entire CERT training was also video taped!
-
Participants in the conference let it be known what they wanted to learn in our 3 days together.
-
Day one we also talked about how this CERT will be utilized in the future.
-
#DCDeafCERT training is first step to eatablishing a team at/for #Gallaudet . future activities? help during presidential #inaugural ?0
likes·
0
comments -
Throughout the training, attention was given to the unique challenges associated with the deaf and hard of hearing community in a crisis and how the first response organizations can be better informed to understand those unique challenges.
-
RT @Kim26stephens: #dcdeafcert For deaf people lights are a huge issue after a disaster, because they depend on visual cues. Observation by @NeilMcD.0
likes·
0
comments -
As part of the training, participants were encouraged to tweet and learn more social media tools. We had a few converts!
-
@MelBMickens you just did! Awesome to see new tweeters on #dcdeafcert tag today.0
likes·
0
comments -
Wow, this should be great. Can’t wait to learn more MT: @Kim26stephens: #dcdeafcert Social media is going to be 1 component of the training0
likes·
0
comments -
Why social media?
-
RT @Kim26stephens: #dcdeafcert Text wouldn’t work during recent disaster but social media did work. People in training posted to Facebook that they were ok.0
likes·
0
comments -
Social Media is an important skill for everyone to understand since it provides redundancy in methods of communication. We discussed both where to find information as well as how to provide information. We even delved into the use of hashtags and the kind of content CERT members should tweet during a crisis to provide situational awareness information to first responders and the campus crisis leadership team.
-
RT @stephjoke: Emergency communication with Deaf communities, what is the best hashtag? http://www.reflexivity.us/wp/2011/11/wheres-the-asl-emergency-communication-and-the-deaf/ #DCDeafCERT #Gallaudet0
likes·
0
comments -
RT @Kim26stephens: #dcdeafcert Another need for planning is “power your cell phones”. IMPORTANT! deaf communities rely on these devices.0
likes·
0
comments -
Other technologies were also mentioned–even from people just watching the twitter stream.
-
#dcdeafcert – RT @redcrossny: The must-have FREE app of the summer: #RedCross First Aid, avail for Android & iPhone http://rdcrss.org/N7Mbc10
likes·
0
comments -
@MassRegion4b thank you for the info on Tap Tap #iPhone #App for #deaf and #hardofhearing #DCDeafCERT #demx0
likes·
0
comments -
@Kim26stephens 40404 allows you to receive text messages to cellphone without using the internet #DCDeafCERT http://gatzoptimize.com/2011/09/21/twitter-hasnt-forgotten-about-sms-text-messaging/0
likes·
0
comments -
RT @gudpscomm: #DCDeafCERT everyone may subscribe to the Gallaudet email alert system. 6,000 already subscribe!0
likes·
0
comments -
One of the great presentations was from Chris Littlewood from the St. Petersburg College National Terrorism Preparedness Institute. Chris is a late-deafened adult who chose to learn sign language in order to connect with the deaf community.
-
We loved seeing the participants start tweeting the event, including this snapshot from the audience.
-
One of the most interesting demonstrations was from DC Firefighter Fred Gordon when he tried to communicate with a deaf “victim” without the aid of an interpreter.
-
Mr. Gordon came up with all kinds of motions in order to get his point across; the two of them worked out a ‘thumbs-up thumbs-down’ system for very basic communication. His statement after the exercise was “I need to learn some sign language!”
-
RT @Kim26stephens: Fire fighter trying to communicate with “patient” without interpreter. #kindafunny! #DCDeafCERT http://ow.ly/1OfIMx0
likes·
0
comments -
There was also a lot of discussion around the buddy system move, demonstrated by firefighters on day three, for use when deploying a fire extinguisher.
-
Folks who are interested in the convergence of disabilities and emergency preparedness, check out #dcdeafcert – some cool pics there.0
likes·
0
comments -
By the end of day three, the event was over and everyone felt as if it was a successful training. Anytime everyone in the room leaves feeling like they learned something, the event should be deemed a success!As soon as the videos are available we will let everyone know.
Categories: CERT, deaf, Gallaudet, hard of hearing, Preparedness
comments