LSU Trains 24,941 First Responders in Louisiana

The LSU National Center for Biomedical Research and Training/Academy of Counter-Terrorism (NCBRT/ACE) has helped Louisiana, the U.S., as well as other countries in the world tackle large societal challenges, including biological and viral threats, for almost 30 years. The team is now actively developing new online training programs for emergency management and response professionals to stay safe, prepared, and resilient in the context of COVID-19. Topics include how first responders can protect themselves and others, safely use and reuse personal protective equipment, and avoid bringing the virus home after a shift. So far, there are 14 courses and 10 podcasts. The number of estimated views and course completions range from 750,000 to over 1 million across the nation since March, with 24,941 first responders trained in Louisiana.

An animated training video helps police officers use time, distance, and shielding to their own and others’ advantage in situations where anyone could be contagious.

– NCBRT/ACE

“As you can understand, there are lots of new policy guidelines coming out. These guidelines tell law enforcement what to do, but what we’re providing is the how to do, the actual mechanics of how to accomplish what the policy statements say we should be achieving. That’s our part; taking that info and making it operational. We help unique agencies answer the question, ‘So, how does this apply to us?’”

- Jerry Monier, associate director for research and development at LSU’s National Center for Biomedical Research and Training/Academy of Counter-Terrorism, or NCBRT/ACE