A group of RAs listening to the Extinguisher Training 
Chief of Police Dewayne McCarver addressing the RAs 
Hazardous Material Specialist Cynthia Norton speaking to the RAs 
Students practicing evacuation measures in a smoke-filled hallway 
Environmental Health & Safety Technician Matt McGrath speaking to the RAs 
A CSDF member reviewing fire extinguisher procedure 
A CSDF member demonstrating the extinguisher training 
RAs preparing to practice evacuating a smoke-filled building 
The UCCS Department of Public Safety held their annual Resident Assistant (RA) Emergency Preparedness Training on Friday, Aug. 11, with the help of the Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD).
The training covered basic safety measures in events of emergencies, complete with hands-on practice opportunities for two of the sessions. The RAs were split into four groups that rotated between each of the four trainings, giving them all a chance to try the exercises in smaller groups. Members of the CSFD supported the fire safety and evacuation aspects of the training. UCCS Police Chief McCarver also discussed campus public safety and security awareness with the RAs.
“These trainings are done in partnership with Colorado Springs Fire Department’s Community Outreach & Education Department and CSFD Station 9 and are vital to ensuring a safe and secure campus for our students to be prepared for emergencies,” said Arthur Simental, Director of Emergency Management.
The four trainings were Evacuation, Extinguisher Training, Risk Management and Emergency Response/BBP (bloodborne pathogens).
Evacuation had the RAs hear a short explanation of best practices for evacuating a smoke-filled building before trying a mock version themselves by walking through the ground floor of a residence hall that had been filled via smoke machine. The Extinguisher Training consisted of a lesson on how and when to properly use a fire extinguisher, along with an exercise that allowed the RAs to practice using them with a simulation. The simulation paired a screen that displayed digital fire with a modified fire extinguisher so participants could practice the movements and aiming needed to put out the “fire,” along with timing how long it took each of them to extinguish it. Risk Management and Emergency Response/BBP were discussion-based trainings and covered whats RAs should do in an emergency and potential campus situations like severe weather, water leaks and power outages, along with how to handle bodily fluid clean up.
“Participation on the UCCS side included the Department of Public Safety, Police Department and my Division of Emergency & Safety Services encompassing the Office of Emergency Management, the Fire Marshal’s Office and Environmental Health & Safety. It’s a big public safety team effort,” added Simental.