In order to continue providing training to state, local, territorial and tribal emergency responders during the COVID-19 pandemic, LSU’s National Center for Biomedical Research and Training/Academy of Counter-Terrorist Education (LSU NCBRT/ACE) has adapted many of its courses for virtual delivery. The first course LSU NCBRT/ACE transitioned to a virtual delivery platform was the AWR-219-C: Site Protection through Observational Techniques-Customized (SPOT-C) course, now being offered via Zoom.
During the four-hour class delivery, emergency responders, security professionals and security support staff work together to identify suspicious objects, substances and people. This course trains public safety personnel to improve their observational techniques by using a four-step ongoing screening process that includes increasing protective awareness, identifying preoperational behaviors, evaluating and taking action. Students use fictional scenarios to examine each step of the process. At the end of this course, students are able to better recognize, communicate, and act upon suspicious behaviors that could indicate a terrorist attack.
Recently, the Pelham Police Department in Pelham, Alabama hosted the class for their department personnel.
“This course was a blessing,” Lieutenant James Carter said. “Due to the COVID restrictions and staffing, having the ability for officers to attend while on duty was great! For our agency, site awareness is always paramount. Our city is the home to a large amphitheater. This course was very valuable for this aspect, as well as normal patrol duties.”
Additionally, many students completing the course via Zoom have been able to receive credit toward their required certifications. For example, the SPOT-C course has been approved by local law enforcement standard and training agencies in these states: Alaska, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma and Texas. Other states also accept the course completions once submitted to the governing body directly by the participant or host agency. States allowing this process include but are not limited to: Alabama, California, Florida, Kansas, Utah, Virginia and West Virginia. Please contact LSU/NCBRT ACE for additional information.
Since the first SPOT-C Zoom delivery in May 2020, 1,102 participants have been trained. To meet the scheduling needs and the demand for these classes, agencies and jurisdictions are able to host their own classes for their personnel. LSU NCBRT/ACE is scheduling classes open for individual emergency responder students nationwide to register and attend as well.
Currently, there are six other NCBRT/ACE courses available via Zoom. In addition to those courses, LSU NCBRT/ACE has developed COVID-19 related videos, podcasts, webinars, and job aides that offer valuable information and materials for combatting the current pandemic.
The Grossmont-Cuyamaca College Department of Public Safety has not only hosted the SPOT-C course; the agency has also been able to access several LSU NCBRT/ACE just-in-time training resources created in response to the pandemic.
“The training was excellent as always,” Nicole Conklin, director of public safety, said. “We have been watching the LSU YouTube videos as well. They are such great quality and I end up sharing them with other departments.”
LSU NCBRT/ACE has developed multiple trainings that address biological incidents, community health care, and COVID-19 preparedness and response. Associate Director of Research and Development Jerry Monier said the demand for these courses continues to grow as the agency perfects its online and virtual delivery for vital training and courses like SPOT-C.
“The task of LSU NCBRT/ACE is to provide high quality training to our state, local, territorial, and tribal partners,” Monier said. “Our Site Protection through Observational Techniques-Customized course is a high demand course. The LSU NCBRT/ACE team continues to transition a number of our traditional instructor-led courses to an interactive and learner-centered, web-based delivery. Our team of staff and instructors continues to develop innovative ways to train our nation’s responders.”
To learn more about this course, other no-cost COVID-19 resources and training, and more information on all LSU NCBRT/ACE resources, please visit our website at https://www.ncbrt.lsu.edu/.
About LSU NCBRT/ACE:
LSU NCBRT/ACE is a nationally recognized center for emergency preparedness and response training located at Louisiana State University’s flagship campus in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. We provide mobile training to both the national and international emergency response community. LSU NCBRT/ACE has expertise in research, development and delivery of training in the areas of specialized law enforcement operations; biological incident response; food and agriculture safety and security; school safety; and instructional design and technique.
