Course Description

Course Description:

This webinar will discuss the intricacies of responding to a chemical disaster through a discussion with Dr. David Heslop, Barbara Thomas, and Emily Probst, with focus on the East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment and chemical spill. Dr. David Heslop, Associate Professor from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Australia, will examine the importance of leadership, command, control, and most importantly effective communication (known as "C3") between authorities, victims, and others during the early stages of response. Implications of ineffective C3 during chemical events will also be explored, as well as evidence supporting how to mitigate system failures with focus on addressing the wholistic needs of both the individual victim and the responders. Considerations of how health and emergency response systems can improve. Barbara Thomas and Emily Probst, both from the American Red Cross (ARC) of Northern Ohio, will share their knowledge and experience working on the ground with the ARC following the train derailment in East Palestine, with focus on their collaboration with other responding agencies, and some unique aspects of this particular response.

This Course Meets the Requirements for 2024-2025 (BP1) Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP) Deliverable 5.

The live webinar will be recorded.

Panelists:

• Dr. David Heslop, Associate Professor at the School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney—Chair of the World Association for Disaster Emergency Medicine’s (WADEM) CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) Special Interest Group 
• Barbara Thomas, Senior Community Disaster Program Manager—American Red Cross - Northern Ohio Region
• Emily Probst, Regional Disaster Officer—American Red Cross - Northern Ohio Region

Hosted by the Institute for Disaster Mental Health at SUNY New Paltz

Target Audience: 

Emergency Management, mental health, hospital, public health workers, first responders, or anyone likely to become involved in the disaster response in their communities.

NOTE — PLEASE READ:

Please verify your contact information and employer information in your LMS profile when registering.  Any required course correspondence will be sent using the e-mail address listed in the LMS.