Mock mass casualty event takes over Foster Park
Also, DCI Kokomo receives Duke Energy grant; DCS holding back to school event
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Foster Park in Kokomo looked like a scene from a disaster movie on Wednesday afternoon as the Howard County Emergency Management Agency and the Kokomo Fire Department staged a full-scale mass casualty event to train the KFD and other local first responders on how to handle a chemical explosion combined with other traumatic events happening all at the same time.
Approximately 30 volunteers from Kokomo High School’s Drama Club and Kokomo Civic Theatre and members of a local church were made up to look like they had head wounds, bullet holes, and severed limbs.
Randi Weeks, KHS Drama Director was on hand to help the “victims” use their acting skills to give first responder trainees a sample of how injury, adrenaline, and fear affects people in a mass casualty incident.
According to Janice Hart, Howard County Emergency Management Agency Director, participating first responder units included the Kokomo Fire Department, Kokomo Police Department and their bomb unit, the Howard County Sheriff’s office, Red Cross, Grissom Air Reserve, the Howard County Coroner’s office, the Howard County Health Department, Howard County 911, Indiana Department of Homeland Security, Ascension St. Vincent Hospital, and Community Howard Regional Health.
DCS holding BTS event July 17
Howard County Department of Child Services (DCS) will be holding a Back-to-School Community Event on July 17 from 4-7 p.m. In partnership with the Kokomo Jackrabbits, this event will be held at the Kokomo Municipal Stadium.
DCS is looking for other area businesses and organizations that would like to partner with DCS to donate school supplies and safety items for at least 250 children and possibly more with enough community support.
Whether you want to hold a school supplies drive in May or June to benefit this event, be present at the event to pass things out, or make another type of donation, DCS would love to have you as a partner. You and your business can make a difference in a child’s future!
Please contact Rebekah Ables - Community Outreach and Resource Engagement (C.O.R.E.) Coordinator – at 765-480-0096 or email Rebekah.ables@dcs.in.gov for more information.
DSI Kokomo Receives Duke Energy Foundation Grant
DSI Kokomo, Bona Vista’s partner, was awarded the Duke Energy Foundation Grant in the amount of $20,000. This grant supports programs that address the most pressing skills gaps in communities that Duke Energy serves; specifically, programs serving under-represented, low-income, or diverse audiences.
Funds from the Duke Energy funds will be allocated towards several vital programs at DSI Kokomo. Meredith Freeman, Senior Vice President, says "DSI is so thankful for the Duke Energy Foundation's generous gift. This funding will be used to create a new learning space, purchase new technology, and create unique training opportunities for staff. DSI is excited for this opportunity and looks forward to involving the Howard County community."
Opportunity Knocks! and the Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) are the two DSI programs in Howard County that the Duke Energy grant will support. Both programs promote workforce development in Howard County. These programs help to train individuals with disabilities in how to become better prepared to enter the workforce. The funds from Duke Energy will enable these programs to purchase equipment, create partnerships, and pay for staff training to best benefit the occupational goals of those enrolled in the programs. Because the individuals enrolled in the programs have intellectual and developmental disabilities, the training programs need to have the intensity, capability, and flexibility to adapt to their specific occupational skills and abilities.
DSI in Kokomo is committed to providing opportunities for clients to learn and grow each day, while also growing the workforce in Howard County. A portion of this grant will focus on staff training. The front-line staff at DSI Kokomo are in need of detailed, intensive training that focuses on job preparedness for clients. DSI Kokomo will work with the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community (IIDC) at Indiana University to create a one-day, in-person training for staff who work with adults with disabilities. The training will allow the necessary DSI Kokomo staff to learn best practices to teach clients how to prepare for the workforce, as well as how to obtain and maintain a job in the community. Staff will then return to their assigned clients in Adult Day Services and Opportunity Knocks! and be better equipped to teach them these important skills.
The second portion of this grant will focus on building an outdoor education space for DSI Kokomo’s adult clients who attend the Adult Day Services program in. DSI Kokomo plans to purchase picnic tables, raised garden beds and a shaded pavilion for use outside of the Plate Street facility in Kokomo. These items will allow staff to work with clients on skills that can be used in many areas: growing and canning vegetables to sell at local outdoor markets, planting and watering flowers to be used to make arrangements, and learning skills that can be used in many businesses throughout the seasons.
The final portion of this grant is focused on technological needs. DSI Kokomo will use these funds to purchase a Smart Board to be used in the Adult Day Programming facility. Clients will be able to utilize this technology to watch educational videos, learn how to operate software and websites, and to utilize virtual training opportunities and classes.
DSI Kokomo expects to spend and utilize these funds immediately, as the adults that are served in these programs will benefit greatly from this funding. If you are interested in learning more about these projects at DSI Kokomo, please call 765-457-8273 or email bbarnard@dsiservices.org.