MARYVILLE, Mo. – Northwest Missouri State University will host its third annual disaster response field training exercise Sept. 18-20 and invites students, community members, and local and state responders to work in volunteer roles during the exercise.
The Missouri Hope 2015 Disaster Response Field Training Exercise, an intensive three-day domestic disaster relief field training exercise that is required for students studying majors or minors in emergency disaster management (EDM), takes place at Mozingo Outdoor Education Recreation Area (MOERA) and the Mozingo Youth Camp.
Volunteers are needed to play the roles of disaster victims and spontaneous volunteer community members as well as apply moulage and assist behind-the-scenes. Volunteers may be age 5 and older; youth between the ages of 5 to 17 require permission from a guardian and may participate with a supervisory adult.
Volunteers are needed to participate from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18; during two separate shifts, from 6 a.m. to noon or 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 19; or from 6:30 a.m. to noon Sunday, Sept. 20. Individuals interested in volunteering should contact Dr. Peter Adam, assistant professor of biology, at [email protected] or Dr. Alice Foose at [email protected] by Wednesday Sept. 16.
Missouri Hope is sponsored by Northwest’s emergency and disaster management program and the Consortium for Humanitarian Service and Education. Partner agencies include Maryville Public Safety, Nodaway and Buchanan County Emergency Management, Nodaway County Ambulance District, LifeFlight and LifeNet Air Ambulances, SEMA Region H Marine Hazmat Team and the 1-129th Field Artillery Battalion Missouri Army National Guard.
Participation in the hands-on disaster response training is available to all Northwest students, regardless of major or minor. Students do not need to receive academic credit to participate, but credit may be earned by any student who desires it.
The domestic disaster response exercise challenges students to overcome their fears and hone their skills as emergency responders. Students work together in teams faced with mass casualty situations, high-angle rescues and water rescue operations.
Participants are expected to attend the entire exercise. Participants are assigned to disaster response teams and will rotate leader and follower roles.
Due to an increased need for trained professionals in the crisis response field, Northwest launched its unique EDM program in January 2009 as an interdisciplinary minor. The program expanded to be offered as an academic major in 2012. Course instruction is provided by Northwest faculty and staff who have regional and national roles in emergency management.
MOERA is a 320-acre parcel of land at the Mozingo Lake Recreation Area, located east of Maryville on Highway 46. MOERA is operated by Northwest’s Department of Health and Human Services and provides a variety of outdoor education and recreation opportunities, including a challenge course, trap shooting and archery, canoes and kayaks, and outdoor research areas.