Local college officials learn to deal with disaster

Pop quiz, hotshot: What does it mean when a paramedic is treating a victim with "raccoon eyes?"

If you said big pupils represent an increased likelihood the victim has suffered serious internal injuries you would be correct.

Proper first aid was one of the topics covered Wednesday at a Campus Community Emergency Response Team workshop hosted by Harper College in Palatine. A $1.5 million Homeland Security grant has funded the program since 2006, as trainers have visited college campuses across the country teaching local college, health and emergency crews ways to deal with a campus disaster.

Wednesday's visit to Harper was the program's first stop in Illinois, and the 17th this year. Two weeks ago the crews were at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

The program started at Michigan State University. Former Michigan State Trooper Phil Schertzing serves as C-CERT project manager. As colleges deal with the tragedies of shootings at Northern Illinois and Virginia Tech universities, schools are becoming more interested in preparing for a disaster, he said. However, it was the Sept. 11, 1991, terrorist attacks that really resonated with the public, he said.

"We want to teach colleges how to best prepare," Schertzing said.

The NIU shootings weren't the primary reason to host the workshop, said Harper College Deputy Police Chief Paul LeBreck. The techniques learned can be applied to a variety of events, including the massive flooding earlier this year at the University of Iowa.

Local agencies represented Wednesday included Aurora University, College of Dupage, DuPage County, Judson University and the village of Palatine. Staff from Columbia College in Chicago, Eastern, Northeastern, Southern and Western Illinois universities were also on hand. The size of a college campus ­- often spread out among many buildings - is one of the aspects that makes dealing with a disaster different on campus, Schertzing said.

Wednesday's program broke down into five disaster simulations, including first-aid, fire extinguishment and triage.

While state elementary and high schools are already required to have disaster plans in place, college campuses are often overlooked, said Aurora University Police Chief Roy Garcia, who is also the head of Illinois Campus Law Enforcement Executives. "This is long overdue," he said.

Palatine Emergency Management Coordinator Tom Smith pointed out the Sept. 11 attacks consisted of a series of events: a plane crashed, a building collapsed, a massive populace was evacuated and crews conducted a search and rescue operation.

"Terrorism is a natural disaster with an attitude," Smith said.