By Tristan Weisenbach
Editor-in-Chief
The College announced in a Feb. 27 email new familiarization training sessions on the use of automated external defibrillators, Stop the Bleed kits and Narcan administration. The sessions are open to all members of the College community.
“The training will cover the basics of how to recognize situations where these tools are needed and how to effectively use them,” Dan Posluszny, emergency preparedness and fire safety manager, wrote in the email. “Knowing how to respond in a medical emergency can make a significant difference.”
The familiarization trainings will last about one hour and will occur at the following locations and times:
Recreation Center lobby – March 7 at 11 a.m.
Brower Student Center Traditions lounge/stage – March 12 at 11 a.m.
Education Building room 112 – March 12 at 2 p.m.
Travers/Wolfe lounge – March 26 at 6 p.m.
Cromwell Hall lounge – March 26 at 7:30 p.m.
Sharon Blanton, vice president for operations, told The Signal that these new in-person trainings were developed by incorporating feedback from Student Government after the implementation of the College’s first online mandatory student safety training last year, which included video modules for topics including active shooter situations and fire emergencies.
“Rather than putting together a whole other series of videos, we decided, let's try doing in-person so that we can actually take the AED off the wall. They can hold it, they can touch it, they can understand what it would be like,” Blanton said.
She clarified that these familiarization training sessions do not replace the mandatory online training, which is still required to be completed by all new students every year. However, the College is looking to better customize the online video modules to condense them and make them more specific to the needs of students in the future.
The familiarization trainings will also be offered to the staff senate and the faculty senate, and will be conducted by TCNJ Emergency Medical Services and Emergency Preparedness and Fire Safety personnel.
Students, faculty, staff and other groups or organizations on campus are encouraged to contact Campus Police or the Emergency Preparedness office to schedule other safety training upon request, including fire and active shooter awareness, medical emergencies or general safety.
“Oftentimes, we'll get questions like, ‘Hey, there's certain times of day that I'm in this building in this room that's all glass. If there were an active shooter, what should I do?’” Blanton said.
According to Blanton, additional training series will be added in the future depending on the level of interest in these first three topics.
