In a Kenosha News article after the incident, Rupp recalled a mock emergency drill he participated in as an 11-year-old at Camp Oh-Da-Ko-Ta:
As the alarm bell rang across Camp Oh-Da-Ko-Ta, Scouts rushed back to their campsites, only to learn that the camp had been "hit by a tornado" and some of their fellow Scouts were missing.
Although the sky was sunny, the exercise scenario was made as realistic as possible, and soon both Scouts and adult leaders began searching for missing Scouts. They were joined by fire agencies from Racine and Kenosha counties, along with the local amateur radio group and several law enforcement agencies.
The size and scope of the incident quickly overwhelmed the manpower and resources of the 25 agencies that participated in the drill. Many leaders and Scouts mobilized with first aid kits and began searching for the missing; at the triage area, Scouts and leaders worked beside trained emergency medical technicians helping to splint broken limbs and bandage the wounded.
Rupp credited that disaster drill and the training he received with helping him react to the tornado warning that afternoon in January 2008.
Public Outreach and Merit Badges
Coordinating a disaster "camporee" was just one way that emergency managers in Racine County have partnered with Scouting over the past 19 years. Emergency management and Scouting make a great partnership, and there are many ways to involve Scouting in emergency management. From conducting merit badge seminars to helping Boy Scouts with their Eagle Projects, local emergency managers and other public safety officials can utilize scarce resources while promoting emergency preparedness in their communities.Since 1994, we have been conducting annual training for the Boy Scouts during a two-day teachers convention break, and since 2002 we've included the Girl Scouts in this training. The training began as a half-day safety merit badge seminar, but that has since been replaced by the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training.
Not only do the Scouts complete CERT, but they also make headway on several merit badges, including emergency preparedness, safety, first aid and fire safety. In addition, they complete one of the requirements for the Boy Scouts Emergency Preparedness BSA award.
Emergency managers and others in public safety can begin building partnerships by serving as merit badge counselors in their area of expertise. Many merit badges have requirements that overlap those of other badges, and several of these fall within public safety's realm.
Merit badge clinics or seminars are great ways to bring Scouts into an emergency operations center or fire or police station, and Scouts tend to be an attentive audience. Not only do they get to work on merit badges under your guidance, but you also get an opportunity to promote your department and introduce them to different career opportunities within public safety.
Disaster Drills and Actual Events
One of the requirements of the emergency preparedness merit badge is for the Scout to "take part in an emergency service project, either a real one or a practice drill, with a Scouting unit or a community agency." During the disaster camporee, Scouts were used both as victims and responders.And throughout the years, Racine County has used Scouts as victims for full-scale disaster exercises. This way, Scouts earn their merit badge and often have a good story to tell later. Several Scouts have even asked if they could wear their "moulage" home.
During an actual event, Scouts can be used much like CERT volunteers. Even Scouts without the CERT course have had similar training and can help provide first aid and other valuable services. In addition, they can perform traffic control, serve as runners, help with collection and distribution of needed items, or assist in setting up shelters and serving food.
Public safety agencies also can partner with Scouting on service projects. Many awards and badges require that the boys conduct a service project, and in the case of Eagle Scout candidates, a substantial service project is required.
We have used several Eagle Scout candidates to conduct or update hazardous material transportation studies throughout the community. With the help of family, friends and peers, these Scouts identify vehicles carrying hazardous materials and then compile a report. The reports are incorporated into our Countywide Hazardous Materials Plan, which is shared with local police and fire departments.
Another Scout looking for a unique project built two tornado simulators. One is used by our office for school presentations, and a larger version is on display at the Racine County Heritage Museum.
Other projects may include building safe rooms in public buildings, installing reflective house number signs in rural areas or developing public outreach materials.
Explorer Posts
The Racine Police Department has sponsored a Law Enforcement Explorer Post for more than 25 years, and many of its Explorer Scouts have gone on to hold various positions in law enforcement throughout the area. The Law Enforcement Explorer Post is a great resource for our emergency management program. Periodically we provide them with a general overview on emergency management and deliver other training programs as needed. In return, they provide site support for our emergency operations center and serve as victims for disaster exercises.Two years ago, the Kansasville and Raymond fire departments together sponsored Explorer Post 500, with the purpose of providing a safe, structured learning environment for youth who may have interest in serving in or learning about fire, emergency medical or emergency management services. Last year, Explorer Post 500 hosted CERT training, and youth members now regularly attend Racine County Fire Chiefs Association meetings. In addition, Explorer Post 500 is equipping a 29-foot Jayco trailer for use as a support/rehab/command unit, which it will make available to any public safety agency that needs it.
And Racine County is not unique. Fire, police and emergency management departments nationwide sponsor Explorer Posts as a way of introducing young men and women to public safety and emergency services.
Because of the higher level of training that most of these explorers get, they might be a valuable resource to support emergency personnel in major events, such as wildfires, floods, tornadoes, hazardous materials incidents, house fires, severe thunderstorms, winter storms, and many other natural or man-made hazards.
There are many different ways in which you can partner with and take advantage of Scouting as a resource. Picking up the phone and contacting your local Boy Scout and Girl Scout offices, will be a worthwhile investment of your time.
