NCBRT Instructor Meeting a Success

 

February 8, 2016

The National Center for Biomedical Research and Training (NCB​​RT) held its 2016 Instructor Meeting in Baton Rouge, La. Feb. 2-3.  Over 100 instructors, plus staff, gathered to listen to several dynamic speakers, participate in professional development, and discuss current updates to NCBRT training and logistics.

 

To begin the meeting, Jeff Moulton, Director of the National Center for Security, Research and Training (NCSRT) and Jim Fernandez, Director of NCBRT, welcomed attendees and introduced the first guest speaker, Tony Russell, who serves simultaneously as the Director of National Training and Education and the Superintendent of the Emergency Management Institute.

 

Russell discussed his role in national preparedness training. He is actively finding different ways to show the value of preparedness training. "There is an intrinsic value to what we do," said Russell. He also stressed the importance of providing preparedness training proactively, not reactively, and touched on the future of preparedness needs.

 

Next, Fernandez recognized both senior and new instructors. Then Amy Gasser, Associate Director of Administration and Support, Jason Krause, Associate Director of Internal Operations and Plans, and Jerry Monier, Associate Director of Research and Development, provided strategic updates.

 

The first day of the meeting also included a panel discussion, which focused on NCBRT's impact at a local, city, state, national and international level. The panel discussion, facilitated by Krause, featured Jim Ayre, Assistant Secretary of Training and Exercise at California Emergency Management Agency, and Lt. Brian Eriksen with the New York Police Department. To conclude day one instructors and staff met in smaller individual course breakout groups.

 

On day two of the meeting, instructors rotated through small breakout sessions that covered several topics, such as NCBRT internal procedures and processes, equipment troubleshooting, course updates, and a hands-on green screen demonstration.

 

​Another enlightening panel discussion, facilitated by Krause, addressed global health security as a component of national security. Panelists included Dr. David Dyjack, Executive Director and CEO of the National Environmental Health Association, and Thomas Fitzpatrick, Dr. Peter Katona, Christopher Kotecki, and Robin Manke, NCBRT instructors who provided Ebola response training in Liberia and New Guinea in partnership with NCBRT, the Biosecurity Engagement Program, and the Chemical Security Program.

 

Each NCBRT instructor shared moving personal experiences while training the Liberian National Police Force to respond to the Ebola outbreak. They spoke about the topics the training covered, such as patient recovery, body recovery, burial, decontamination, and personal protective equipment. They also spoke about the challenges they faced. In addition to limited resources and training among the Liberian National Police Force, there were cultural challenges and many individuals had already been personally affected by the outbreak. Ultimately, the training mission was a success and had local and national impact.

 

Dyjack addressed the issues we face training public health officials for such an outbreak here in the U.S. "Environmental health is profoundly local," said Dyjack. Local environmental health officials need this preparedness training but often find it hard to allocate time for it because they are overwhelmed. However, Dyjack says it needs to be a priority. "Those in poverty are at the greatest risk, and the government has a responsibility to help," he pointed out.

 

During lunch, attendees viewed a pre-recorded presentation from Dr. Gerald Parker, Vice President of Public Health Preparedness and Response at Texas A&M University Health and Science Center. Parker, who was unable to attend due to an unforeseen professional obligation, was the William C. Patrick, III Lecture Series award recipient. The award was founded in memory of former NCBRT instructor William C. Patrick, III, who was a world-renowned biological weapons expert. Dr. Jason Moats, Program Director at Texas Engineering Extension Service, was also on hand to provide a presentation on biological and agricultural security in place of Parker.

 

To close out the meeting, guest speaker Dr. Tommy Karam, senior instructor with the LSU Department of Marketing, the Stephenson Entrepreneurship Institute, and the Flores MBA Program, spoke about the importance of personal branding and the role it plays for an instructor. Karam said the key to making your brand effective is likability. He elaborated on the factors that influence a person's likability, which ultimately affects the ability of an instructor to reach a student. He also shared several entertaining stories regarding lessons learned throughout his career about the importance of likability.

 

Instructors and staff enjoyed the meeting and found it very productive and informative. "The conference was a great opportunity to network with the other instructors, talk about class content, exchange tips on instruction and get updates from the staff in person," said Albert Valerioti, NCBRT instructor.