Thank you for your participation in the 2023 H.O.P.E. Challenge (Helping Others Prepare for Emergencies). The challenge ended on October 31. Your efforts were outstanding! If your name was submitted to the challenge, you were counted in the totals below. I also want to be sure to acknowledge everyone who continues to participate in preparedness training but may not have had the opportunity to submit their name to be counted as part of the Challenge. I know you are out there, and you also have our thanks!
The H.O.P.E. Challenge is a Partners in Preparedness project celebrating September as National Preparedness Month. Special thanks to Josh Yox, State Coordinator, Nebraska Citizen Corps and Nebraska Emergency Management Agency Long-Term Recovery Specialist. Josh worked with local emergency managers, first responders, Medical Reserve Corps and CERT volunteers to coordinate many of the training opportunities.
Final tally - 2023 H.O.P.E. Challenge participation:
• A total of 663 individuals participated in training opportunities held statewide. Their names were then submitted to the H.O.P.E. Challenge. This includes:
o 197 faculty and staff representing Nebraska Extension and the Research and Extension Education Centers. These faculty and staff reported their participation in 268 professional development trainings on topics which included:
Stop the Bleed
CPR/AED/First Aid
Community Emergency Response Teams (C.E.R.T.)
You Are the Help Until Help Arrives
National Weather Service Storm Spotters
FEMA Independent Study
Q-P-R
Every Person’s Safety & Interaction Matters
Office Emergency Action Planning
Act F.A.S.T.
Active Threat, C.R.A.K.E.
Disaster Psychological First Aid
CHIME, Mindfulness
Mental Health First Aid
Webinar: Nebraska Extension’s Role in Disasters
Tabletop Exercises and Drills
Weather Ready Farms Mini-Conference
Volunteer first responder training (fire fighters, EMTs)
Thanks to those who could join Josh Yox and me for the H.O.P.E. Challenge Celebration on October 31. It was a fun hour. We look forward to continuing the efforts to grow this network of statewide faculty and staff trained in lifesaving skills and emergency situational awareness. Here’s to 2024!
Soni Cochran, scochran2@unl.edu