On Memorial Day evening an EF4 tornado tore through the Dayton, Ohio region, leaving a path of destruction and debris behind. In the days following the disaster, many agencies rushed in to provide relief. The Salvation Army is one such group providing relief.
Dr. Thad Hicks, Director of Emergency and Disaster Management at Ohio Christian University (OCU), and Divisional Emergency Disaster Services Director for the Salvation Army in SW Ohio and NE Kentucky, has led volunteers consisting of student, faculty, and administration members, serving those in need as they continue helping victims affected by the disaster. Among those from OCU who assisted with the Salvation Army efforts were Dr. Jon Kulaga (President of OCU), and his wife, Lena, Professor Sean Lovell, and students Cayla Allen (‘20), Logan Ashcraft (‘19), Cassandra Dencher (’19), Chelsi Mason (’19), Lauren Ray (’18), and D’Lani Rinehart (‘19).
Reflecting on his experience in Dayton, Kulaga said, “It was great to be on the ground and see the difficult and important work that the Salvation Army is doing in the Dayton area after the wave of tornadoes that came through Memorial Day evening. I couldn’t be prouder to know that one of our faculty, Dr. Thad Hicks, and several of our students are collaborating with such a great organization like the Salvation Army to serve the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the people of Dayton.”
To find out more about the work The Salvation Army is doing in Dayton and beyond, visit their website.
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
