By Jerica Donald, OCU Junior, Emergency & Disaster Management and Business Major
The blazing sun in Puerto Rico has not stopped Salvation Army Volunteers from distributing meals and water to many people in the South Eastern division of the island.
Our Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) operations team used a bottleneck version of distribution in Las Piedras, Puerto Rico. Using that technique of distribution enabled us to serve 27,552 meals and 27,888 waters to people in need.
This is a critical time where teamwork is needed, and it was achieved. Relief teamwork can be difficult particularly with regard to timely communication. Luckily for our team, this day communication went well. As is often said by many in the EDS: “Teamwork makes the dream work.”
Another challenge for relief distribution relies on effective teamwork when a team is sent into an unknown area, in this case into the remote mountain areas which, until now, were untouched by efforts to distribute food and water. This area is just now being addressed with distribution and is not finished. It will be an area on our future agenda because it is an area of greatest need.
Articles of Interest
Alumni Spotlight: Lauren Ray
Published: April 26, 2020
CIRCLEVILLE, OH – A familiar face is once again killing it for Ohio
Christian University, only this time her impact is being seen off the court.
Lauren Ray, a 2018 Emergency and Disaster Management graduate of OCU,
currently serves as the Assistant Director of Student Life – Housing and
Discipline, a role she took over earlier this year. Lady Trailblazer
Volleyball fans will remember Lauren as a key member of the program, playing
for the team for three seasons (2015-17). Originally from Canal Winchester,
OH, Lauren transferred into OCU following her freshman year at Ohio
University,
CIRCLEVILLE, OH – A familiar face is once again killing it for Ohio
Christian University, only this time her impact is being seen off the court.
Lauren Ray, a 2018 Emergency and Disaster Management graduate of OCU,
currently serves as the Assistant Director of Student Life – Housing and
Discipline, a role she took over earlier this year. Lady Trailblazer
Volleyball fans will remember Lauren
CIRCLEVILLE, OH – A familiar face is once again killing it for Ohio
Christian University, only this time her impact is being seen off the court.
Lauren Ray, a 2018 Emergency and Disaster Management
Emergency Management Graduates and Students Fight COVID-19
Published: March 25, 2020
With the pandemic situation facing our state, county and the world, emergency
managers play an important role in working to stabilize the situation and
save lives. “An emergency manager’s job is to bring relative calm and
order to the chaos,” explains Dr. Thad Hicks, Head of the Emergency
Management Program at Ohio Christian University and Certified Emergency
Manager.
Ohio Christian University has offered programs in Emergency
With the pandemic situation facing our state, county and the world, emergency
managers play an important role in working to stabilize the situation and
save lives. “An emergency manager’s job is to bring relative calm and
order to the chaos,” explains Dr. Thad Hicks, Head of the Emergency
Management Program at Ohio Christian University and Certified Emergency
Manager.
Ohio Christian
With the pandemic situation facing our state, county and the world, emergency
managers play an important role in working to stabilize the situation and
save lives. “An emergency manager’s job is to
Online Emergency & Disaster Management Program Ranked #2 in the Country
Published: March 18, 2020
Ohio Christian University’s online Bachelor of Arts in Emergency
Ohio Christian University’s online Bachelor of Arts in Emergency
Ohio Christian University’s online Bachelor of Arts in Emergency
Research supports Ohio Christian’s Emergency Management Programs
Published: February 28, 2020
A recent research project published in The Journal of Emergency
Management[1] supports Ohio Christian University’s approach to educating
tomorrows emergency managers. The research highlighted the need of students
to understand the concept of emergency exercises and the average emergency
manager needing more experience with emergency exercises.
This is an area where the program at Ohio Christian University shines. “The
requirement for emergency exercises is a part of our core course load for
emergency management students,” said Dr. Thad Hicks, Head of the Emergency
Management Program
A recent research project published in The Journal of Emergency
Management[1] supports Ohio Christian University’s approach to educating
tomorrows emergency managers. The research highlighted the need of students
to understand the concept of emergency exercises and the average emergency
manager needing more experience with emergency exercises.
This is an area where the program at Ohio
A recent research project published in The Journal of Emergency
Management[1] supports Ohio Christian University’s approach to educating
tomorrows emergency managers. The research highlighted the
Emergency and Disaster Management Partner with Mennonite Disaster Service
Published: November 8, 2019
Representatives from Ohio Christian University’s Emergency and Disaster
Management Program recently joined their new disaster partner, the
Mennonites, at the Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) Region 2 Conference. The
event took place in Rosedale, Ohio on Oct. 25-27.
The Mennonite Disaster Service is a network of Anabaptist churches that
responds in Christian love to those affected by disasters. While their
primary focus is on clean up, repair, and rebuilding homes, they expand
beyond these activities. Their service touches lives and nurtures hope,
faith, and wholeness.
Emergency
Representatives from Ohio Christian University’s Emergency and Disaster
Management Program recently joined their new disaster partner, the
Mennonites, at the Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) Region 2 Conference. The
event took place in Rosedale, Ohio on Oct. 25-27.
The Mennonite Disaster Service is a network of Anabaptist churches that
responds in Christian love to those affected by
Representatives from Ohio Christian University’s Emergency and Disaster
Management Program recently joined their new disaster partner, the
Mennonites, at the Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) Region
Archived Articles of Interest
Emergency Management Students Serve after Hurricane Michael Strikes
Published: October 31, 2018
Ohio Christian University (OCU) Emergency Management students responded to
the call to serve the men, women, and children of Panama City, Florida,
following deadly Hurricane Michael striking Florida’s panhandle on October
10.
Salvation Army teams in Florida are tasked by the State of Florida to deliver
food and supplies to the areas hardest hit, where has been very difficult to
reach survivors due to the destroyed infrastructure.
Cayla Allen and Jerica Donald, who trained with The Salvation Army’s
Emergency Disaster Services in Puerto Rico last year, were prepared to serve
in
Ohio Christian University (OCU) Emergency Management students responded to
the call to serve the men, women, and children of Panama City, Florida,
following deadly Hurricane Michael striking Florida’s panhandle on October
10.
Salvation Army teams in Florida are tasked by the State of Florida to deliver
food and supplies to the areas hardest hit, where has been very difficult to
reach
Ohio Christian University (OCU) Emergency Management students responded to
the call to serve the men, women, and children of Panama City, Florida,
following deadly Hurricane Michael striking
Professor Thad Hicks Presents at International Emergency Management Conference
Published: October 24, 2018
Ohio Christian University (OCU) Emergency Management Program Director, Dr.
Thad Hicks presented Creating Effective Teams in the Non-Profit Context at
the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) Conference in
Grand Rapids Michigan in October.
Team-building is a vital but dirty piece of the emergency and disaster
fields. A group’s ability to form an efficient and effective team
correlates directly with its success. When an organization does not have the
resources available to properly support a team, they often depend on
untrained—often spontaneous—volunteers. Non-
Ohio Christian University (OCU) Emergency Management Program Director, Dr.
Thad Hicks presented Creating Effective Teams in the Non-Profit Context at
the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) Conference in
Grand Rapids Michigan in October.
Team-building is a vital but dirty piece of the emergency and disaster
fields. A group’s ability to form an efficient and effective
Ohio Christian University (OCU) Emergency Management Program Director, Dr.
Thad Hicks presented Creating Effective Teams in the Non-Profit Context at
the International Association of Emergency
Emergency Management Students Participate in Great Miami River Exercise
Published: October 1, 2018
On September 20, 2018, a massive emergency operation occurred on the Great
Miami River in Butler County, Ohio. Although just a drill, the full-scale
emergency exercise involved 50 departments and agencies and over 200 people
focusing on how to respond to a full-scale disaster.
Ohio Christian University students in the Emergency Management Program
observed and participated in the exercise. According to Emergency Management
Director, Dr. Thad Hicks, "We need to practice our work in high-stress
situations, understanding that decision-making in a crisis is quite different
from normal
On September 20, 2018, a massive emergency operation occurred on the Great
Miami River in Butler County, Ohio. Although just a drill, the full-scale
emergency exercise involved 50 departments and agencies and over 200 people
focusing on how to respond to a full-scale disaster.
Ohio Christian University students in the Emergency Management Program
observed and participated in the exercise.
On September 20, 2018, a massive emergency operation occurred on the Great
Miami River in Butler County, Ohio. Although just a drill, the full-scale
emergency exercise involved 50 departments and
Ohio Christian University Ranks #3 of Online Emergency Management Programs!
Published: August 6, 2018
Best Schools has ranked Ohio Christian University’s Emergency and Disaster
Management Program #3 among the top 15 programs based on its quality and
courses provided, as well as the school’s other awards, rankings, and
reputation.
OCU's Emergency and Disaster Management program trains students to lead
during disasters. Graduates contribute during every stage of disaster
management and recovery, including providing immediate relief and rebuilding
and redeveloping communities.
Student Lesli Holt, Operations Manager for Warren County Ohio's Office of
Emergency Management, comments that “
Best Schools has ranked Ohio Christian University’s Emergency and Disaster
Management Program #3 among the top 15 programs based on its quality and
courses provided, as well as the school’s other awards, rankings, and
reputation.
OCU's Emergency and Disaster Management program trains students to lead
during disasters. Graduates contribute during every stage of disaster
management and
Best Schools has ranked Ohio Christian University’s Emergency and Disaster
Management Program #3 among the top 15 programs based on its quality and
courses provided, as well as the school’s other
EM Exercise Design Program Gives Students Hands-on Experience
Published: July 30, 2018
One of the biggest pieces of emergency management is designing preparedness
and readiness exercises for various disasters that can befall communities and
regions. In Ohio, annual emergency management exercises are required at the
county level. The practices vary from table-top and office-based to
full-field deployments.
Scenarios cover every possible disaster from highway and railroad spills of
hazardous materials, to tornadoes and hurricanes, blizzards and earthquakes,
forest fires and flooding, to rioting or other possible emergencies.
OCU’s program is one of a few that
One of the biggest pieces of emergency management is designing preparedness
and readiness exercises for various disasters that can befall communities and
regions. In Ohio, annual emergency management exercises are required at the
county level. The practices vary from table-top and office-based to
full-field deployments.
Scenarios cover every possible disaster from highway and railroad
One of the biggest pieces of emergency management is designing preparedness
and readiness exercises for various disasters that can befall communities and
regions. In Ohio, annual emergency
