RMS
Fire Safety Festival
9/8/2022
September is Campus Fire Safety Month and Auburn University is gearing up for the first ever FIRE SAFETY FESTIVAL on Wednesday September 14th from 10 am until 2pm. RMS team members and volunteers will be set up around campus with games, giveaways, and prizes.
The Brain Burners Fire Safety Quiz will be on the Haley Concourse. Participants will be asked three questions related to fire safety. Get them right and spin the wheel to win a prize!
The Hot Shots Selfie Station will be set up at the Edge at Central Dining. It’s easy to participate. Just snap a selfie and post it on social media or send it to a friend. Once you do, you win!
The Power P.A.S.S. station will be set up in the Melton Student Center. Get firsthand experience fighting fires with our state-of-the-art extinguisher simulator. Once you learn to P.A.S.S. then you’re all set and you win!
Punch-cards will be available at each station. Participants who visit all three stations on September 14th can be entered to win a number of amazing grand prizes.
Learning more about Fire Safety has never been easier or fun!
For questions or additional information, please contact Kevin Ives at pki0002@auburn.edu
FDA advises consumers not to use hand sanitizer products manufactured by Eskbiochem (FDA.gov)
8/4/2020
Update [6/29/2020] FDA is alerting consumers of Saniderm Products and UVT Inc.’s voluntary recall of Saniderm Advanced Hand Sanitizer. Following FDA’s recommendation, two distributors – Saniderm Products and UVT – agreed to recall Saniderm Advanced Hand Sanitizer packaged in 1-liter plastic bottles and labeled with “Made in Mexico” and “Produced by: Eskbiochem SA de CV.”
- The UVT hand sanitizer is labeled with lot number 0530 and an expiration date of 04/2022.
- The Saniderm Products hand sanitizer is labeled with lot number 53131626 and “Manufactured on April/1/20.”
[6/19/2020] FDA advises consumers not to use any hand sanitizer manufactured by Eskbiochem SA de CV in Mexico, due to the potential presence of methanol (wood alcohol), a substance that can be toxic when absorbed through the skin or ingested. FDA has identified the following products manufactured by Eskbiochem:
- All-Clean Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-002-01)
- Esk Biochem Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-007-01)
- CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 75% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-008-04)
- Lavar 70 Gel Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-006-01)
- The Good Gel Antibacterial Gel Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-010-10)
- CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 80% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-005-03)
- CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 75% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-009-01)
- CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 80% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-003-01)
- Saniderm Advanced Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-001-01)
FDA tested samples of Lavar Gel and CleanCare No Germ. Lavar Gel contains 81 percent (v/v) methanol and no ethyl alcohol, and CleanCare No Germ contains 28 percent (v/v) methanol. Methanol is not an acceptable ingredient for hand sanitizers and should not be used due to its toxic effects.
Consumers who have been exposed to hand sanitizer containing methanol should seek immediate treatment, which is critical for potential reversal of toxic effects of methanol poisoning. Substantial methanol exposure can result in nausea, vomiting, headache, blurred vision, permanent blindness, seizures, coma, permanent damage to the nervous system or death. Although all persons using these products on their hands are at risk, young children who accidently ingest these products and adolescents and adults who drink these products as an alcohol (ethanol) substitute, are most at risk for methanol poisoning.
On June 17, 2020, FDA contacted Eskbiochem to recommend the company remove its hand sanitizer products from the market due to the risks associated with methanol poisoning. To date, the company has not taken action to remove these potentially dangerous products from the market. Therefore, FDA recommends consumers stop using these hand sanitizers and dispose of them immediately in appropriate hazardous waste containers. Do not flush or pour these products down the drain.
FDA reminds consumers to wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after coughing, sneezing, or blowing one’s nose. If soap and water are not readily available, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend consumers use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent ethanol.
FDA remains vigilant and will continue to take action when quality issues arise with hand sanitizers. Additionally, the agency is concerned with false and misleading claims for hand sanitizers, for example that they can provide prolonged protection such as 24-hours against viruses including COVID-19, since there is no evidence to support these claims.
To date, FDA is not aware of any reports of adverse events associated with these hand sanitizer products. FDA encourages health care professionals, consumers and patients to report adverse events or quality problems experienced with the use of hand sanitizers to FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program:
- Complete and submit the report online; or
- Download and complete the form, then submit it via fax at 1-800-FDA-0178.
Auburn Risk Management and Safety Reminds You to “TAKE FIVE” Before You Drive
9/9/2019
Golf Carts and other non-conventional vehicles (NCV) are abundant on campus. To ensure the safety of drivers and pedestrians, Risk Management and Safety asks you to “TAKE FIVE” before you drive and pay attention to these five simple steps before operating an NCV on campus.
TRAIN – Before you operate an NCV on campus, you must complete the online training located at http://aub.ie/carttraining
INSPECT – Check the NCV before use and inspect it thoroughly. Pay specific attention to the tires, lights, and brakes, and make sure the NCV is in good working condition.
SECURE – Passengers should always be inside the vehicle. Do not hang arms, legs, or feet over the edge of the LCV and outside. Only ride or sit in a designated space, and never on top or the hood of an LCV. When carrying items, make sure cargo is properly secured in the LCV.
OPERATE – When operating an LCV, use safe paths that are free some debris, obstacles, and hazards. Avoid distracted driving and refrain from using you cell phone or electronic device while driving. As with all vehicles, you must obey all traffic laws and regulations.
WATCH – Remember that pedestrians will always have the right of way. Be aware of some higher pedestrian areas on campus such as the Haley Concourse. Plan extra travel time if using these areas and prepare for congestion.
To help encourage these safe driving habits, RMS has developed an informative graphic located at http://aub.ie/take5 . For questions, please email aurms@auburn.edu or visit auburn.edu/rms
Risk Management and Safety Develops New Resource to Help Plan Fieldtrips
8/5/2019
Auburn University Risk Management and Safety has developed a new resource to help academic departments safely plan university field trips. The Field Trip Guidelines page located at https://cws.auburn.edu/rms/pm/fieldtrip has been designed to provide a central location for anyone seeking information and guidance when arranging a field trip. The resources housed on this page include guides, checklists and recommendations for all aspects of field trip planning, including accommodating students, emergency situations and accidents, transportation considerations, insurance and more.
The resources on this page will help identify and assess any hazards or potential risks associated with the upcoming field trip to make all university field trips safe and successful.
Auburn University Risk Management and Safety is here to help make future field trips a success and can assist with the completion of hazard assessments and address any questions about the information and resources provided on the new Field Trip Guidelines page.
For more information, contact 334-844-4870 or aurms@auburn.edu.
August 28th Lab Safety Training
8/2/2019
Auburn University Risk Management and Safety will hold two Lab Safety Training Sessions: August 20th from 10:30am until 11:30 am and August 28th from 3:00pm until 4:30pm. Both sessions will be held in room 109 of the CASIC Building (570 Devall Drive).
The Lab Safety Training Sessions will cover basic lab safety, biological Safety and hazardous waste management.
Auburn University Risk Management and Safety encourages all visiting summer researchers who will be working in labs to attend either of the training sessions.
August Lab Safety Training
8/2/2019
Auburn University Risk Management and Safety will hold two Lab Safety Training Sessions: August 20th from 10:30am until 11:30 am and August 28th from 3:00pm until 4:30pm. Both sessions will be held in room 109 of the CASIC Building (570 Devall Drive).
The Lab Safety Training Sessions will cover basic lab safety, biological Safety and hazardous waste management.
Auburn University Risk Management and Safety encourages all visiting summer researchers who will be working in labs to attend either of the training sessions.
RMS150: Social Media Safety and Security
6/5/2019
Join Risk Management and Safety on June 26 at 2:30pm for “Social Media Safety and Security”
Learn why companies want your personal information and why even non-identifiable information needs to be protected.
The social media landscape is ever changing and there’s an increased focused on privacy. Know what privacy changes are in store for your favorite apps and why protecting your personal information is more important than ever before.
Discover tips and tricks to protect your information. From using Virtual Private Networks to simple adjustments to your browser settings.
HRD Course RM150 will be held on June 26th from 2:30 pm until 4:30 pm in HRD Training Room 1204A. For more information, email aurms@auburn.edu
Lab Safety Training
5/13/2019
Auburn University Risk Management and Safety will hold Lab Safety Training Sessions on Friday, May 17th in room 109 of the CASIC Building (570 Devall Drive). In order to accommodate as many participants as possible, these Lab Safety Training Sessions will be offered at two separate times: 10:00am and 3:00pm. Both sessions are scheduled to last 90 minutes.
The Lab Safety Training Sessions will cover basic lab safety, biological Safety and hazardous waste management.
Auburn University Risk Management and Safety encourages all visiting summer researchers who will be working in labs to attend either of the training sessions.
RMS offering Lab Safety Training on May 17th
5/13/2019
Auburn University Risk Management and Safety will hold Lab Safety Training Sessions on Friday, May 17th in room 109 of the CASIC Building (570 Devall Drive). In order to accommodate as many participants as possible, these Lab Safety Training Sessions will be offered at two separate times: 10:00am and 3:00pm. Both sessions are scheduled to last 90 minutes.
The Lab Safety Training Sessions will cover basic lab safety, biological Safety and hazardous waste management.
Auburn University Risk Management and Safety encourages all visiting summer researchers who will be working in labs to attend either of the training sessions.
Auburn RMS and Auburn Global partner for unique Fire Safety Presentations
4/8/2019
Auburn University Risk Management and Safety (RMS) partnered with Auburn Global for a series of Fire Safety Demonstrations. Three separate sessions were held and were attended by close to 450 students. Safety and Health Specialist Jon Haney delivered a specially tailored message to promote fire safety in off-campus living spaces. This message included a hands-on demonstration of proper fire extinguisher use, video examples of the power of fire, and simple and effective tips for cooking safety.
This collaboration between Auburn Global and Auburn Risk Management and Safety to was specifically designed to serve Auburn’s International Student population and to target an area of need on campus. RMS is committed to find unique and specialized trainings and outreach efforts to better serve the entirety of Auburn University.
After the success of this event, RMS will incorporate more individual and specialized trainings during September’s Campus Fire Safety Month. If your group, organization, or office would like to arrange Fire Safety Training or partner with RMS during Campus Fire Safety Month then please contact Auburn Risk Management and Safety at aurms@auburn.edu
Creating a Safer Auburn: Managing Risks through Accident Reporting
3/25/2019
Risk Management and Safety will offer a unique HRD program entitled: Creating a Safer Auburn: Managing Risks through Accident Reporting on Wednesday March 27th at 2:30pm.
This informative and important course is designed for Auburn employees and will help foster a proactive safety culture for any department by helping you become an impactful safety ambassador for your unit.
Accidents can occur at Auburn University. Before they do, RMS wants you to have the best tools and resources to manage risk.
RMS will cover a broad range of informative topics related to Accident Reporting including an overview of the accident investigation process, awareness of the resources available to help you collect an effective report, and what to expect after an accident using key lessons learned from real-world experiences.
The offering number 19632 and course code RM140.
If you have any questions, please contact Auburn University Risk Management and Safety at aurms@auburn.edu
Risk Management and Safety implements new 12 & 15-passenger van policy
1/29/2019
In response to new federal regulations that now require newer 12 and 15-passenger vans to have additional safety features like Electronic Stability Control and Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems, Risk Management & Safety has updated Auburn University’s 12 & 15-passenger van policy to allow for the purchase of vans model year 2012 and newer. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently stated that rollover is no longer a danger for newer 15-passenger vans due to the implementation of these new safety requirements.
Other highlights of the updated policy include:
- The requirement that the number of occupants must be less than eight (8) has been removed for vans that are model year 2012 and newer.
- Please note seat belts should be worn by all occupants at all times, so the number of occupants should never be more than the number of seat belts.
- For vans that are model year 2011 and older, the requirement that the number of occupants should be less than eight (8) remains in effect.
- Additionally, vans that are model year 2011 and older should not be driven distances greater than 25 miles from the point of origin nor should they be driven on interstate highways.
- In addition to the existing driver training requirements, there are new requirements for drivers of 12 & 15-passenger vans and mini-buses:
- Drivers must be age 21 or older (18 or older if driving is restricted to on-campus)
- Drivers must have a current motor vehicle record (MVR) within the past two years on file with Risk Management & Safety prior to operation
Departments will be responsible for providing Risk Management & Safety with a list of their van drivers so that MVR’s can be ordered and reviewed for approval.
A full copy of the updated policy can be found here.
Campus Fire Safety Month 2018 is a success for RMS and Auburn
10/1/2018
With September ending, Auburn University Risk Management and Safety wrapped up another successful Campus Fire Safety Month. The month of September saw an increased push for fire awareness and campus readiness with activities, events, and signage throughout campus and the community.
The events kicked off with “Popcorn and Prevention”, where RMS Staff met students and handed out bags of microwave popcorn. The popcorn was labeled with cooking safety tips and was chosen because improperly cooked popcorn was one the leading cause of fire alarms going off. This simple example showed how even the smallest things should be noticed and remembered when it comes for fire safety.
RMS Staff members also brought a new activity to students, faculty, and staff: the FireSmarter Gameshow. The knowledge of basic fire safety tips was tested in a fun and interactive man-on-the-street game and after answering, students could spin the wheel for prizes and left a little fire smarter and fire safer.
Finally, Risk Management and Safety welcomed national renown speakers Sean Simons and Alvaro Llanos as they shared their personal and inspirational story of recovery, redemption, and hope after surviving a fatal campus fire at Seton Hall University. This intimate setting allowed for a personal communication and a better appreciation of this impactful and life-affirming message.
This year, Governor Kay Ivey acknowledged, recognized, and proclaimed September officially as Campus Fire Safety Month across Alabama. The Auburn University Student Government Association also recognized Campus Fire Safety Month and passed their own resolution to personally recognize and participate in the event.
“Campus Fire Safety Month,” was founded by the Center for Campus Fire Safety, and is a nationwide effort to raise fire and life safety awareness on college campuses throughout the month of September each year. According to the Center, August and September are historically the worst times of the year for fatal campus-related housing fires.
Auburn University Risk Management & Safety (RMS) has recognized officially recognized and support Campus Fire Safety Month for over three years. Through their participation, Risk Management and Safety hopes to bring understanding to our 25,000-plus student body (and eventually, the surrounding community) about the dangers of housing-related fires. Students need to be aware of how fire could touch their lives, that fires DO happen in campus-related settings, and that they should take steps to protect and educate themselves about fire safety, no matter their place of residence.
The 2018 edition of Campus Fire Safety Month at Auburn University was supported and sponsored by Auburn Bank, Belfor Restoration Johnson Controls, and Brendle Fire Equipment. Risk Management and Safety personally thanks these community partners and their commitment to keeping Auburn University safe.
For more information on Campus Fire Safety Month and to be a partner in 2019, please contact Kevin Ives at pki0002@auburn.edu or follow Risk Management and Safety on Twitter @AuburnRMS.
AURMS Presents Safety Training Sessions in August
8/10/2018
Auburn University Risk Management and Safety invites you to attend one of four Safety Training Sessions in August. These sessions will cover Laboratory Safety, Biological Safety, and Hazardous Waste Management and are a requirement for all laboratory personnel. The events will be August 22nd at 10:00 a.m., August 23rd at 3 p.m., August 24th at 10:00 a.m., and August 31st at 2:00 p.m. These informative training sessions will be presented by our experienced Safety Specialists, Officers, and Managers. The training sessions are free to attend and will be held at the Center for Advanced Science, Innovation, and Commerce (CASIC) Room 109. CASIC is located at 559 Devall Drive in Auburn at the Research Park.
Human Resource Development Class details Auburn Univeristy's OJI Program
6/13/2018
On Wednesday, June 13, Auburn University Risk Management and Safety held a Human Resource Development course on the On-the-Job Injury Program (OJI).
Risk Management Specialists Holly Leverette and Brooke Patton gave real world scenarios and statistics showing how critical proper claim reporting is and the frequency, severity, and type of claims that have been handled by Auburn University.
The majority of the presentation went over how to report an OJI Claim and explained the program in more detail. This will allow for future claims to be handled promptly and properly and will benefit all Auburn University student, faculty, and staff.
Auburn University is exempt from State of Alabama’s Worker’s Compensation laws (25-5-50); however, Auburn’s OJI Program provides financial assistance to injured employees where no other benefits exist. The program is a benefit, not insurance, and provides benefits only after all other applicable insurance coverage has been exhausted. The program’s goal is to help protect employees from financial hardship caused from on-the-job injuries or illnesses. Risk Management and Safety is responsible for administration of the OJI Program.
More information on the OJI program can found at Risk Management and Safety’s website. There you will be able to view today’s presentation, get step by step instructions, and most importantly, file a claim.
For more information on today’s presentation or Auburn’s OJI program, please contact Auburn University Risk Management and Safety at 334-844-2502 or online at auburn.edu/rms.
VCOM-Auburn Inaugural Disaster Drill Day invites emergency response preparedness collaboration between medical students, AU units and local agencies
6/30/2017
The scene was completely unexpected.
Dozens of second-year medical students in dark blue scrubs milled around the triage tents and tarps, many with looks of uncertainty on their faces, as disaster “victims” were brought into their areas. The “victims,” played by first-year medical students, all had pre-determined injuries and were in various stages of distress. Suddenly, recalling their training, the second-year medical students sprang into action, pulling from the medical skills many of them had cultivated thus far, mostly from a computer screen or classroom.
The inaugural VCOM-Auburn Disaster Drill Day took place at the back of |
Such was the atmosphere on April 28 at the inaugural Disaster Drill Day, hosted by the Edward via College of Osteopathic Medicine-Auburn (VCOM) and in collaboration with Auburn University Risk Management & Safety (RMS). Other participants included first responders with the Auburn and Opelika Fire divisions, Auburn University Public Safety and members of the Campus Community Emergency Response Team (CCERT). Through two simulated disaster incidents – including a wreck with hazardous chemical spill and a tornado strike - more than 150 second-year VCOM medical students were evaluated on their emergency response abilities in order to obtain their National Basic Life Support certification.
The participants went into the drill blind, with no clue as to what the disasters would be or of the injuries they would have to know how to treat. The same can be said for real-life mass casualty situations, where every person affected – from local first responders and medical professionals, to universities and community members – must know how to respond in order to survive or save a life.
Though the original purpose of the Disaster Day Drill was to introduce medical students to the realities of a natural or man-made disaster as part of their learning, the overall resulting significance of the event was twofold…
Full-Scale Disaster Preparedness Scenarios Offer Life-Like Learning Environment
Firefighters and first responders with Auburn & Opelika |
Tornados, fires, flooding, active shooters, bomb threats, hazardous chemical spills, civil disturbance… all these, and more, are risk vulnerabilities faced by today’s public/private universities and colleges.
Campus emergencies involving natural disasters and/or man-made crisis are not new developments in the academic environment, but in the last decade, disasters have affected university and college campuses with disturbing frequency, causing not only death and injury, but also monetary losses resulting from classroom disruption and damages to buildings/infrastructure.
The 2007 Virginia Tech massacre claimed the lives of 32 people. In 2009, students were evacuated from a Central Michigan University building following a chemical spill in a lab where one person was injured. Hurricane Irene caused damage and flooding to five east coast universities in 2011, while the April 27 tornado outbreak wreaked havoc on Alabama campuses just five months earlier. A murder/suicide resulted in nine deaths at an Oregon community college in 2015, and in mid-2017, two separate fires caused mass evacuations and damage at Boston University.
Though disasters themselves are common, colleges and universities that practice massive disaster preparedness scenarios involving students, faculty, staff and outside agencies have just become more prevalent. The State University of New York College at Oneonta (SUNY) has been conducting emergency simulations annually for several years, including simulated power failures, heat waves, and suicide and terrorist attacks. According to the Daily Star, SUNY partners with local police and fire agencies and other first responders “to create drills that are as life-like as possible to best prepare students, faculty and staff.”
Though Auburn University has held disaster drills on campus before, this was VCOM-Auburn’s first experience with disaster simulation and training as part of student curriculum. VCOM is a private, non-profit Osteopathic Medical School, with a campus located in Auburn University Research Park. The college has two other campuses – one in Virginia and one in South Carolina – where disaster simulations and training have been familiar annual events since the 2007 Virginia Tech shootings. Disaster simulations give medical students a closer look at how the environment inside a hospital could be impacted during a mass casualty situation and what type of skills would be expected of them.
VCOM-Auburn students in theater paint played "victims" of the first disaster scenario, a car crash and chemical spill. |
The first scenario of VCOM-Auburn’s Disaster Drill Day was a wreck involving university vans and a truck carrying hazardous chemicals, resulting in a hazardous chemical spill. Training alongside VCOM-Auburn students during this first scenario were more than 10 local first responders from Auburn and Opelika Fire divisions, and the East Alabama Medical Clinic EMS. Several of them suited up in HAZMAT gear to survey the scene of the accident, get the chemical spill under control and then venture through a life-like decontamination station.
Nearby, “casualties” of the wreck were delivered to the triage station where medical students began to assess their injuries before having them transported inside the school where three different simulated emergency rooms had been erected. Here, the real challenge for the students began. Assessing the wounded, they were tasked with performing various medical procedures on their patients to include delivering a baby from a “casualty” who went into labor (this was completed on a simulation dummy); properly sewing up a flesh wound; and/or inserting an IV, among others.
Second-year VCOM-Auburn medical student Clayton Lester said the hands-on experience of the drill was eye opening for him. During the first scenario, Lester had the opportunity to apply a suture to a wound and to insert a chest tube on a patient.
“I’ve done medical missions before where I learned how to set up a clinic,” said Lester, who was also a graduate of Auburn University. “But this type of learning, early on in my career, has given me a glimpse of what I might expect to see during a real disaster. It was chaotic, but beneficial training.”
VCOM-Auburn Associate Dean for Simulation and Technology Glenn Nordehn, DO, said there is no perfect drill. “However, this was a great training opportunity for the students to use their skills to improvise as well as problem solve the unexpected,” Nordehn added. “The expectation is for the students to learn how to act and how to manage in a disaster situation.”
Serving as the first joint disaster-training event involving VCOM, Auburn University and outside first responder’s organizations, much went into preparing the most useful and realistic disaster scenarios…
Where University & Local Agency Disaster Preparedness Intersect
RMS Mike Freeman, pictured with a reporter from the Opelika-Auburn News, was enlisted to plan the VCOM- Auburn disaster scenarios. |
Members of RMS HAZMAT suited up to run the |
Michael Freeman is a 28-year veteran of the environmental health and public safety industries, and has been employed with Auburn University’s RMS Department for more than 10 years. A former member of the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Army, Freeman has worked in fire, EMS and law enforcement. As a member of RMS, Freeman is a certified HAZMAT technician, responsible for HAZMAT management, spill response and transportation, among other things.
In January, VCOM contacted Freeman, who had experience conducting tabletop-type drills and had helped to train local responders on HAZMAT specifics, to ask for his help planning disaster scenarios for the Disaster Drill Day event.
“VCOM needed eight hours of instruction for the event,” Freeman said. “They also had certain components their students needed that I had to work into the scenarios. For example, they needed a HAZMAT component, traumas, a mass casualty situation, decontamination and EMS-type training.”
Around these components, Freeman also determined how best to utilize local first responders and university first responders, to maximize training for all. For example, during the chemical spill portion of the first scenario, other members of RMS trained in HAZMAT management, refreshed their skills by suiting up in personal protective equipment and helping casualties through the decontamination station, while local first responders trained in HAZMAT were responsible for utilizing their skills to contain the spill. In addition, members of Campus CERT - groups of trained individuals who have volunteered to take an active role during campus emergencies - got a refresher in search and rescue procedures as part of the tornado strike scenario later that day.
“This was the first large-scale disaster simulation to be held at VCOM-Auburn and in conjunction with local agencies,” Freeman said. “We could have done this without the local agencies, but it would not have been as realistic. If you do not practice real-life scenarios, you will not be prepared."
Deputy Chief of Auburn Fire Division Matt Jordan said first responders do not get the opportunity every day to train for HAZMAT situations. “It’s good to go through the motions like this, and we’ll go back to the station and talk about what we could have done differently,” Jordan said. “Training like this with the university is a benefit for everyone and is the type of infrastructure we want to set up. We like knowing what our resources are.”
With the Disaster Drill Day event, Jordan said local agencies get to combine their training with the knowledge from Auburn University’s subject matter experts to perfect disaster response.
While the various scenarios were playing out on the ground throughout the day, second-year VCOM-Auburn medical student Mike Brisson had quite a different view from above. A part-time paramedic with EAMC, Brisson not only brought along an ambulance to be used as a prop during the event, but also his personal Phantom III drone, which he used to take pictures of and survey the disaster drill scene from the air.
Brisson, also an Army captain and Black Hawk pilot, said his role of the day was to test how applicable drone footage could be, not only to first responders on a scene, but also to medical student training. Drones have become popular allies to first responders in the last few years, being used to more quickly and efficiently survey accident scenes to provide data.
Inside the makeshift hospital, second-year VCOM- |
“I can use this drone to get a better view of what type of hazardous materials have spilled,” Brisson said. “A drone can be sent in to survey a scene, like this chemical spill, ahead of first responders. I could see if the truck in the wreck was registered and determine what types of chemicals it was carrying. This type of information all allows first responders to safely prepare for and enter a scene without endangering their lives further.”
While Brisson’s drone provided invaluable footage for first responders to study, it was also broadcast on YouTube for other VCOM-Auburn students and administrators to watch as the events unfolded.
“It’s invaluable experience to offer these types of scenarios,” Brisson said. “From this vantage point, you get familiar with the entire picture of emergency care. To be able to integrate the medical school with community responders is invaluable training.”
Auburn University RMS is currently working on an official Drone Policy for the university as a result of increased drone usage on campus.
VCOM-Auburn marked Disaster Drill Day 2017 as a success and an important learning opportunity, and hopes to make it an annual event the school hosts going forward, possibly expanding involvement to the greater university community in years to come. To see footage of the April 28 event, click here.
Media Contact: Kati Burns, RMS Communications & Marketing | 334-844-2502 | klb0095@auburn.edu
Auburn Fire Department, university units to conduct special fire safety training at Jordan-Hare
6/29/2017
The Auburn Fire Department will conduct a training exercise at Jordan-Hare Stadium this summer that will have long-term benefits for not only local firefighters, first responders and the university community as a whole, but future game-day fans as well.
On Thursday, June 8, between 10 and 15 Auburn firefighters will hook up firehoses to pressurized pipes at different connection points around the stadium to conduct firefighting scenarios. The training will take place from 8 a.m. to noon, and several sidewalks around the stadium will be closed during this time, due to water that will be released from the hoses. The sidewalks on the east side of the stadium near the Tiger Transit bus stops and the Student Center will be closed, as well as the sidewalks on the west side of the stadium on Donahue Drive. Ongoing summer construction projects around the stadium will also be a factor, so anyone entering the area during this time is required to follow proper safety precautions by wearing appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as a hard hat, safety glasses and steel-toed or sturdy shoes.
The firefighter-training event was scheduled in conjunction with testing of the stadium’s sprinkler system, to be performed by university contractor Brendle Sprinkler Company. According to the Auburn University Risk Management & Safety Department’s (RMS) Safety & Health Programs Manager Chris Carmello, the university is required by the National Fire Protection Association to test dry sprinkler systems every five years.
“It was time for us to test the system at Jordan-Hare, and the fire department had already asked if they could come get some training at the stadium if we ever charged the pipes with water,” Carmello said. “This is not a safety issue; that’s not why we’re doing this. This is simply a once-in-every-five-years opportunity for the fire department to get some hands-on experience on-site, at an outdoor location where they’ll actually be able to use high-pressure water hoses while training.”
According to Carmello, there are important differences between a “wet sprinkler system” and a “dry sprinkler system” that made this training at the stadium more attractive to the fire department. Wet sprinkler systems always have water in the pipes, but dry sprinkler systems, such as those at the stadium, do not, which means there will be a bit of a lag in the time it takes the water to spread throughout the pipes when charged.
“This training will give the fire department a better idea of how quickly the water can get to where it needs to be in the event of an emergency at the stadium,” Carmello said.
In addition, unique factors during the training will present some challenges to the firefighters. For example, there are three connection points around the stadium that will be utilized for training – one on the east side of the stadium and two on the west side. The connection on the east side requires a different type of connection, so the firefighters will be challenged to run a different type of hose.
Carmello said this entire scenario would be a troubleshooting opportunity for everyone involved. “The fire department will get to troubleshoot what kind of issues they might be presented with during the event of a real emergency at a very high profile facility. Our contractor, Brendle, will be able to look for leaks or any weaknesses in the pipes, and, based off these results, RMS will be that much more prepared and able to address issues that could arise during game days. This entire effort ensures the safety of our game days and our game day fans.”
Several university departments and units worked with the fire department to make this training possible, including Risk Management & Safety, Auburn University Athletics, Facilities Management and Auburn University Public Safety.
Media Contact: Kati Burns, RMS Communications & Marketing | 334-844-2502 | klb0095@auburn.edu
The RMI Intern Experience: UGA student intern finds home among Auburn family
6/29/2017
Peachtree City, Georgia native Eric Sutliff climbed to the top of Jordan-Hare Stadium at Auburn University. He got “a taste for Auburn” through popular eateries like The Hound, Amsterdam and Coffee Cat, and immersed himself in culture during local music & arts festivals. He volunteered at a food pantry, played guitar in a worship band and found family in a place miles from home.
Peachtree City, Georgia summer intern Eric Sutliff spent eight weeks with Auburn University Risk Management & Insurance, learning how risk touches all facets of higher education. |
While Sutliff enjoyed the full Auburn experience, he also spent his eight-weeks on campus immersed in the risk management & insurance realm of study as the first intern for Auburn University’s Risk Management & Safety Department (RMS). A hard sought after intern by other viable internship-seeking entities, Sutliff said he chose to accept the internship with Auburn University because he loved the campus and was impressed with how genuine RMS staff were during his interviews.
“I’ve met tons of great people and made some friends for life in Auburn,” said Sutliff, a junior in the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia. “Everybody, from the community to the RMS staff, have been great, super friendly and willing to help anyone.”
Sutliff’s summer internship was a result of a $5,000 grant awarded to RMS through the Spencer Educational Foundation, the premier organization awarding scholarships and grants in risk management and insurance, and facilitating internship opportunities. The grant stipulated an eight-week internship at 320 hours. Sutliff works Monday through Friday, eight hours per day, just as a full-time employee might. Besides weekly projects with RMS, Sutliff is also tasked with writing a 10-20 page essay on his internship experience for his Risk Management & Insurance Program with the Terry College of Business.
Sutliff always thought he would go into the sciences or engineering field. He had never considered a career in risk management and insurance until a high school graduation party, where the father of one of his friends told him about the field. The father worked as a risk manager for Chick-fil-a headquarters and invited Sutliff to shadow him on the job one day.
“I discovered that risk management and insurance is really just a blending of all the subjects I already loved – science and statistics,” Sutliff said.
Concluding his studies at the University of Georgia, Sutliff will have earned a Bachelor’s of Business Administration, and will have certifications in legal studies and sustainability.
His summer internship with Auburn University RMS was his first taste of risk management and insurance practices in higher education. “I never considered how many different risk areas there are at a large university,” Sutliff said. “I’ve enjoyed getting exposed to these things and learning how they affect the university in a greater sense.
During his internship, Sutliff learned about the many areas that university risk management touches – from athletics and research labs, to museums and dorm rooms. He attended fire extinguisher training classes with members of RMS Fire Safety, performed different environmental and lab safety audits, met with university vendors and learned how to input data into the university’s risk management information system, Origami.
Sutliff got the opportunity to work with University Risk Management and Safety on a number of projects, including one that involved a special fire-safety training day with the local fire division. |
One of his favorite experiences during the internship was a special fire-safety training opportunity between the Auburn Fire Division and RMS at Jordan-Hare Stadium. The university contractor Brendle Sprinkler Company was testing the stadium’s dry sprinkler system for the first time in five years, giving the fire department a unique opportunity to conduct an on-scene fire-fighting scenario at the stadium using their newly purchased high-rise equipment in preparation of the university’s upcoming football season.
“It was fun seeing how the university and the fire department might prepare for a catastrophic event, like a fire during a game, and it was also interesting to learn how RMS partners with the local community and other university units to ensure a safe environment for all,” Sutliff said.
At the University of Georgia, Sutliff is involved with Special Olympics UGA and is a Terry College of Business Ambassador. He is the chair of professional development for his fraternity GAMMA IOTA SIGMA (the international business fraternity for students of insurance, risk management and the actuarial sciences) and is involved with the university ministry, the Wesley Foundation. Sutliff’s time interning with Auburn University RMI, he said, has been helpful in teaching him how to deal with other people on a professional, as well as, relational level in an office setting.
Risk Management Specialist Patrick White, who was the main mentor for Sutliff in RMS, said as the first intern for RMS, Sutliff has set the bar high for future interns.
"Eric's refreshing work-ethic and thoughtful, deliberative attitude have contributed greatly to the advancement of our mission here in Risk Management," White said. "He has been exposed to a vast array of our operations here on campus, and he offers thoughtful questions and possible solutions to better serve each area. Our hope is that Eric can use the knowledge gained in this experience to not only further his career, but also make a meaningful difference in the world of Risk Management."
Sutliff has developed a special interest in the sustainability side of risk management. He will be pursuing a certificate of sustainability. "I've always been interested in the holistic well-being of our planet,” he said. “I think sustainability addresses social justice, economic growth, and environmental stewardship in an attainably realistic manner. My experience with the environmental safety team with Auburn University RMS has shown me applicable ways to address these goals in the risk management industry.”
“I’m excited to get into the insurance industry and to combine some of the things I have learned with other areas I’m passionate about. The Auburn family is a real thing; people are truly interested in who you are and in helping you. I am very thankful for this, and for how open and inclusive the RMS staff have been. It has been a great hands-on learning experience.”
Special Firefighter Training Day at Jordan-Hare: Auburn Fire commends RMS for help making game days safer for fans
6/29/2017
Despite recent days of dark clouds and heavy rainfall, firefighters with Auburn Fire Division were thankfully met with sunny blue skies for their training at Jordan-Hare Stadium on June 8. It had been a busy night and morning for Auburn firefighters, with more emergency calls than usual, but close to 10 firefighters were on hand for the special fire safety training the division had desired to do for more than a year.
The fire department partnered with Auburn University Risk Management & Safety (RMS) to receive important training on the stadium’s wet and dry fire protection systems, while university contractor Brendle Sprinkler Company and RMS tested the sprinklers at the same time. This testing of the stadium’s dry water fire protection systems happens every five years, a requirement of the National Fire Protection Association.
“This was a once-in-every-five-years opportunity for the fire department to get some hands-on experience on-site, at an outdoor location where they would actually be able to use high-pressure water hoses while training,” said Chris Carmello, RMS Safety & Health Programs manager. “There are important differences between a “wet sprinkler system” and a “dry sprinkler system” that made this training at the stadium more attractive to the fire department.”
Wet sprinkler systems always have water in the pipes, but dry sprinkler systems, such as some of the standpipe systems at the stadium, do not, which means there will be a bit of a lag in the time it takes the water to spread throughout the pipes when charged. There are five fire hydrants around the stadium and two standpipe systems inside the stadium.
The training began on the ground level of the stadium with firefighters and staff with Brendle testing the pressure of the water and releasing any old water standing in the pipes. Firefighters then carried hoses up five flights of stairs to the very top of the stadium where they hooked up to the stadium’s standpipe system and waited for the hose to fill with water.
“It’s invaluable that we have this kind of training where some 80,000 fans could be gathered,” said Jeff Nolin, Auburn Fire Division battalion chief. “We need this kind of muscle memory and the experience of stretching the hoses in a building that we’re actually going to be working in.”
The training lasted from 8 a.m. until about noon. The testing allowed both firefighters, RMS and Brendle to find any leaks, breakages or other defects throughout the system.
“These scenarios help us to think about logistics ahead of time, like where we need to have personnel during game days and any situations they might run into trying to get to the fire,” said Deputy Fire Chief Matt Jordan. “If there is a fire, we’re going to have to evacuate people, move people around also.”
The stadium training was the first opportunity the Auburn Fire Division has had to use the “high-rise packs” purchased specifically for the stadium almost two years ago. The division typically has firefighters staged at the stadium during game days, with additional personnel to call-in if need be.
“This time of year, we’re thinking about football season, putting our people in place and just preparing for any new developments – like new constructions that may have gone up that could affect our response times or typical staging areas,” Jordan said.
“It’s our job to prepare for “worst case scenarios.” The university has done a great job making this a safe environment for the university community and the fans. RMS does a great job collaborating with us, inspecting fire extinguishers ahead of time, and managing contractors and vendors. We are always very impressed with their help.”
Media Contact: Kati Burns, RMS Communications & Marketing | 334-844-2502 | klb0095@auburn.edu
Media Coverage: Inaugural VCOM Disaster Drill Day
5/1/2017
On Friday, April 28, Auburn University’s Risk Management & Safety (RMS), several other campus units and local first-responder agencies from the community, took part in the university’s first ever Disaster Drill Day, hosted by the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine-Auburn, or VCOM.
“Disaster Drill Day” was an emergency response training and disaster simulation event specifically for second-year VCOM medical students, who were evaluated that day by VCOM faculty on their ability to respond and triage casualties. More than 150 second-year students participated as part of evaluation, while another 100 students played the roles of “casualties” or other necessary characters.
To see photos of the event, visit @AuburnRMS on Twitter or search for the hashtag #VCOMDisasterDrill. Several members of the media covered the event extensively including the Opelika-Auburn News and WSFA 12 News of Montgomery. See the full stories below.
Inaugural Disaster Day prepares responders, students for worst, Opelika-Auburn News
Disaster Drill helps first responders, students in Auburn, WSFA 12
Risk Management & Safety, other AU units to participate in VCOM Disaster Simulation & Training Day
4/26/2017
On Friday, April 28, Auburn University’s Risk Management & Safety (RMS), several other campus units and local first-responder agencies from the community, will take part in the university’s first ever Disaster Day, hosted by the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine-Auburn, or VCOM.
“Disaster Day” is an emergency response training and disaster simulation event specifically for second-year VCOM medical students, who will be evaluated that day by VCOM faculty on their ability to respond and triage casualties. More than 150 second-year students will be participating as part of evaluation, while another 100 students will play the roles of “casualties” or other necessary characters.
VCOM Disaster Day is Friday, April 28 |
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Members of the media are invited to attend. Interviews
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Disaster Day will take place on the VCOM campus at 910 South Donahue Drive, and VCOM classes will be suspended that day as most faculty, staff and students will be participating in the event. Other university units participating will include Auburn University RMS, Auburn University Public Safety, Auburn University ROTC and members of the Auburn University Campus Community Emergency Response Team or Campus CERT. In addition, a few local agencies will also participate, including the Auburn and Opelika Fire Divisions, and the East Alabama Medical Center EMS.
The first disaster simulation of the day will begin at 8:30 a.m., followed by the second disaster scenario beginning at 1:30 p.m. The event is for VCOM faculty, staff and students only, and participating Auburn University units. It is not open to the public.
Though this is the first Disaster Day hosted at the Auburn University campus, this is not VCOM’s first experience with disaster simulation and training as part of student curriculum. The college has two other campuses – one in Virginia and one in South Carolina – where disaster simulations and training are familiar annual events. VCOM students complete online learning modules and then put them into practice during Disaster Day. Disaster simulations give students a closer look at how the environment inside a hospital would be impacted during a mass casualty situation and what type of skills would be expected of them. Upon completion of the modules and Disaster Day, students will receive a Basic Disaster Life Support Certification, or BDLS.
RMS Environmental Health and Safety Technician Michael Freeman planned and formed the disaster scenarios for the event, based off input from VCOM. Freeman, who was a member of the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Army, and has worked for fire, EMS and law enforcement in the past, said this is the first full-scale disaster simulation the university has had on campus since he arrived in 2006.
“We’ve conducted table-top type drills with Public Safety in the past, and I have helped train the Fire Department on HAZMAT specifics, but this is the first disaster simulation to be held on campus and in conjunction with local agencies,” Freeman said. “We could have done this without the local agencies, but it would not have been as realistic. If you do not practice real-life scenarios, you will not be prepared."
"This disaster simulation training allows our local agencies, university first responders and VCOM students to better understand our individual roles and what we may have to deal with together during a live situation." - Mike Freeman, RMS Environmental Health & Safety Tech
Freeman said VCOM’s Disaster Day will be good not only for those students participating, but for the surrounding communities as well. “This simulation teaches university first responders AND local responding agencies how to work together during the event of a possible disaster,” Freeman said. “The students can also take the skills they’ve learned back out into the communities that they will be working in. This is a multi-layered approach, and we are so appreciative of those local agencies who have made time in their very important schedules to help.”
Local agencies will be involved in the first scenario taking place at 8:30 a.m., while Campus CERT will play a bigger role in the second scenario at 1:30 p.m.
Freeman and VCOM’s Dr. JJ White will appear on WANI 98.7’s Auburn-Opelika This Morning Show on Thursday, April 27, at 8:35 a.m. to talk about Disaster Day. Follow @AURMS to see the live tweets from Disaster Day on April 28.
"Cookies & Contracts" course prepares AU employees to act as university facilitators
2/6/2017
Close to 30 Auburn University employees attended the “Principles of University Contracting & Risk Transfer” workshop on Jan. 26.
The 3-hour course offered attendees a basic understanding of contract law and strategies for transferring risk away from the university. Auburn Contract Officer Courtney Raville and University Risk Manager Melissa Agresta led the workshop, attentively fielding questions from attendees throughout the presentation. Though a tough topic, Raville and Agresta simplified the process by dividing attendees into teams for Q & A style games that helped them digest the material easier.
During the break, attendees enjoyed homemade chocolate chip cookies and milk, provided by the workshop leaders.
A university contract is a contract between Auburn and a third party, not agreements between Auburn units. By completion of the course, attendees had learned about:
- Contract elements, such as mutual assent, offer and acceptance, capacity/authority, consideration and legality
- Special university issues, such as sovereign immunity, competitive bid law and public works law
- Primary methods of risk transfer, among other things
To attend a class like this or others, login to AU Access and visit “Fast-Train.”