A little preparation can go a long way. That’s part of why the Auraria Campus is offering four in-person trainings focused on “practical, potentially lifesaving skills” this fall.
“Ultimately, preparedness is about having the knowledge and confidence to act when it matters,” said Nancy Barjenbruch, AHEC emergency manager. “We want to provide skills that are applicable across a wide range of environments and situations.”
All trainings will be held at the Emergency Operations Center, 1200 7th St., and most sessions are free.
Active Harmer Preparedness Training
The course addresses prevention, response and aftermath in case of an active-harmer incident, which Barjenbruch said is designed to “lessen a person’s concern by providing information on how they can take action.” Training is free.
- Oct. 13: 9-10:30 a.m.
- Nov. 10: noon-1:30 p.m.
Stop the Bleed (Civilian Trauma Training)
Learn evidence-based techniques to control life-threatening bleeding using tourniquets, gauze packs and topical hemostatic agents. The course is designed for people with limited or no medical training and is free.
- Oct. 13: 10:30-11:30 a.m.
- Nov. 10: 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Basic CPR/AED and First Aid
Designed for people who are not healthcare professionals, this beginner course covers CPR, AED use and basic first aid. The class meets OSHA CPR requirements and provides a two-year American Heart Association certification upon completion. Cost is $50.
All sessions run 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Sept. 16
- Oct. 21
- Nov. 18
- Dec. 16
Prepared Wherever You Are
The next session of this monthly workshop takes place 10-11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30. It equips attendees with practical, all-hazards preparedness skills to help them stay safe and resilient, whether on campus, at home, at work, commuting or traveling, according to AHEC’s description.
Topics include:
- Practical preparedness skills that can be used in any environment
- Simple strategies to strengthen personal resilience
- How to stay informed before, during and after an emergency
- How shocks and stressors affect personal lifelines and what can be done to remain prepared when essential services are disrupted
- The essentials of building an emergency kit using the 7 Ps of preparedness
“Prepared Wherever You Are takes a broader approach to personal preparedness (than the other trainings), helping people consider how they can be ready for unexpected situations in their everyday lives,” Barjenbruch said.
Seasonal safety on campus
Barjenbruch said in fall and winter, the AHEC Office of Emergency Management plans for “snow and ice, extreme cold, high winds, hazardous travel conditions, power outages and other disruptions that could affect campus operations.”
If you need assistance during an emergency, call the Auraria Campus Police Department at 303-556-5000.
She encouraged campus members to take a few simple steps to be prepared, including knowing evacuation and shelter-in-place procedures, keeping basic emergency supplies in their workspace, and knowing where to find fire extinguishers, AEDs and Stop the Bleed kits.
She also recommended saving important emergency phone numbers and taking a moment to review the evacuation plans and the Auraria Campus Emergency Procedures guide posted in classrooms and offices.
Some of these plans for specific campus areas are defined in Departmental Emergency Action Plans (DEAPs). The Metropolitan State University of Denver Facilities department shared these with AHEC and is collecting plans from department leaders through the Sept. 30 deadline.
