TEEX Blog

The brotherhood of firefighters crosses borders and generations. Nowhere is this more evident than at the Texas Fire Training Schools, held each year at the Brayton Fire Training Field in College Station, Texas, and conducted by the Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX).

The schools began in 1930 when 196 firefighters gathered in College Station, near Texas A&M University, for the first Texas Municipal Fire School (watch this year's video). Other specialized firefighting schools followed. The Industrial Fire Training School, now in its 50^thyear, draws members of industrial emergency response brigades and safety officers from global oil & gas and chemical companies (article on this year's school). The annual Spanish Fire Training School (Escuela para Bomberos en Español) is the largest fire school anywhere for Spanish-speaking firefighters.

These world-renowned schools have earned their reputation in large measure through the generations of firefighters who have attended the schools and taken what they have learned back to their home communities. Volunteer guest instructors play an integral part in the equation. These Fire Training Schools would not be possible without the dedication of the guest instructors and safety officers who come each year to share their knowledge with the next generation of firefighters.

They volunteer their time and expertise to make sure every firefighter who leaves is well-prepared and ready to respond when the alarm sounds – whether they live across the state or across the world. This year, TEEX honored two of these guest instructors who have served the Texas Fire Schools and the fire service for 50 years or more.

Chief Salvador Lambretón Narro was named Chief Instructor Emeritus and recognized for 57 years of leadership, vision, dedication and support to the Texas Fire Training School (shown at right in maroon shirt). The retired Fire Chief from Monterrey, Mexico, was honored on the opening day of the Escuela para Bomberos en Español. Chief Lambretón began his firefighting career in 1947 and first attended the Municipal Fire Training School in 1950. He collaborated with Fire School Chief Emeritus Henry D. Smith to establish a professional fire training school for Latin American firefighters, which has expanded to attract Spanish-speaking “bomberos” from 17 countries. See the KBTX story on this year's Spanish School.

Chief Ernest Patschke was also recognized during the Municipal Fire Training School for his 50 years of service to the school as a volunteer guest instructor in pump and ground-cover operations. Patschke joined the Thorndale Volunteer Fire Department in 1951, and rose to Fire Chief. He attended his first Municipal Fire School in 1952 and became a guest instructor at the annual school in 1962, where he says students inevitably take away knowledge “they didn’t know they didn’t know” and can take that knowledge back to protect the citizens in their hometowns. Watch TEEX's Lee Hall awarding Chief Patschke in the KBTX video and read the Bryan-College Station Eagle article.

THANK YOU, Chief Lambretón, Chief Patschke, and all of the guest instructors and safety officers who give of their time and experience to benefit firefighters from all over the world. We couldn’t do it without you!

Los instructores invitados contribuyen a las

Escuelas para Bomberos de TEEX.

La hermandad que existe entre bomberos trasciende fronteras y generaciones. Nunca está más evidente esta gran fraternidad que en la Escuela de TEEX que se organiza todos los años en el Campo Brayton de Capacitación para Bomberos en College Station, Texas.

Los orígenes de la Escuela se remontan al año 1930 cuando se juntaron 196 bomberos en College Station, cerca de la Universidad de Texas A&M, para asistir a la primera Escuela para Bomberos Municipales (2012 video). Con el tiempo se fueron organizando otras escuelas especializadas para bomberos. La Escuela Industrial, que acaba de cumplir 50 años, es la meta anual para bomberos y profesionales de seguridad de empresas petroleras y químicas de todo el mundo. Y no hay escuela para respondedores hispanohablantes más grande que la Escuela para Bomberos de TEEX.

Estas escuelas de renombre mundial se han ganado su fama en gran medida gracias a las generaciones de bomberos que han venido a capacitarse en College Station para luego servir de multiplicadores en sus comunidades locales. Los instructores voluntarios tienen un papel integral en este fenómeno. La Escuela no sería posible sin la dedicación de los instructores invitados y oficiales de seguridad que vienen todos los años para compartir sus conocimientos y su experiencia con las nuevas generaciones de bomberos latinoamericanos.

Vienen como voluntarios a la Escuela para ayudar a preparar a los participantes para que estén bien capacitados y listos para responder cuando suene la alarma dondequiera que sirvan como bomberos. Este año, TEEX homenajeó a dos instructores que han servido a las Escuelas y al servicio de combate de incendio por más de 50 años.

Como parte de la ceremonia de inauguración de la Escuela de este año, el Jefe Salvador Lambretón Narro fue nombrado Jefe Instructor Emérito y fue reconocido en consideración a su liderazgo, visión y apoyo durante sus 57 años de dedicación a la Escuela. El Jefe Lambretón, de Monterrey, México, inició su carrera en los servicios de combate de incendio en 1947. Al poco tiempo, en 1950, asistió por primera vez a la Escuela para bomberos en College Station, que en aquella época era la Escuela Municipal. Desde entonces, consciente de la gran necesidad de brindarles una
formación profesional a los bomberos latinoamericanos se entregó, en estrecha colaboración con el Jefe Emérito y Director de la Escuela Henry Smith, a la creación de lo que es hoy la Escuela para Bomberos en Español a la que asisten participantes procedentes de 17 países. Nota periodística en inglés.

Durante el curso de la Escuela Municipal del corriente, TEEX también reconoció al Jefe Ernest Patschke por sus 50 años como instructor voluntario en los cursos de operaciones de bomba e incendio en superficies. Patschke se incorporó al Departamento de Bomberos Voluntarios de Thorndale en 1951, para ascender eventualmente al puesto de Jefe. Asistió por primera vez a la Escuela Municipal en 1952 y fue nombrado instructor invitado en 1962. Según el Jefe Patschke, los alumnos se llevan de la Escuela conocimientos “que no sabían que no sabían” para proteger a los vecinos de sus comunidades. Ver video KBTX y nota en el periódico Bryan-College Station.

GRACIAS al Jefe Lambretón y al Jefe Patschke, y a todos los instructores y oficiales de seguridad que se ofrecen como voluntarios para beneficio de los bomberos de todo el mundo. Si no fuera por ustedes no podríamos cumplir con nuestra misión.

In 2011, a passenger train with 200 people onboard crashed into a tractor-trailer near Reno, killing five. Sixteen people were injured when two passenger trains collided in Oakland. And a train carrying more than 175 passengers from California to Chicago derailed in Nebraska, injuring nine.

For emergency responders with passenger rail service running through their communities, a train derailment or accident is a nightmare. And until recently, little training was available to help responders prepare for such an incident.

So when Fire Chief Dan Small of Cumberland, Maine, called the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) to ask for specialized rescue training for rail emergencies, the wheels started turning. With its subject matter experts in fire and rescue and a seven-car Amtrak passenger train derailment at TEEX’s renowned disaster training facility, Disaster City®, a passenger rail rescue course was a natural fit.

TEEX reached out to Amtrak, who had donated the locomotive and coaches to the training organization in the 1990s. Amtrak collaborated with TEEX on developing a course designed to provide responders with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform search and rescue operations at a passenger train or commuter train disaster. A guest instructor from Amtrak came to College Station to assist with the delivery of the Passenger Rail Rescue class in December 2011 and April 2012. An Amtrak instructor will again be on hand for the September 2012 class, where students will learn first-hand about the challenges and hazards of each specific type of Amtrak passenger rail car.

TEEX’s hands-on course uses the seven-car passenger train derailment at Disaster City® as well as some specialty props that allow students to learn specific skills such as “hot-cutting” through metal and how to remove an Amtrak emergency access window in 15 to 20 seconds. They also practice extricating victims through windows and doors, especially from cars that are turned on their sides or at a precarious angle on top of an adjacent car.

Course participants also have homework: they read and discuss case studies and NTSB reports of previous rail incidents that tie into the hands-on scenarios they face during the class. One of the instructors is Brian Freeman, who spent 30 years on the London Fire Brigade. He provides his unique perspective on responding to the London Underground bombings on July 7, 2005, and discusses techniques for dealing with train accidents inside tunnels.

The 40-hour Passenger Rail Course concludes with a realistic 4-hour nighttime train derailment disaster exercise involving many volunteer “victims” from the local community. The exercise includes difficult access challenges for the students to overcome, such as people trapped deep inside the train. The students’ mission is to rescue as many “victims” as they can as fast as they can.

Besides Cumberland, Maine, responders from New York City, Boston and Fort Worth have completed the course so far.

With more than 220,000 miles of track in the United States, and more than 8,800 passenger locomotives and coaches, safety and emergency preparedness are vital. This course is one step toward making sure those who respond to a rail disaster in their community have the training and skills to save lives.

-- Brian Smith is the Coordinator for the Passenger Rail Rescue course offered by the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service in College Station, Texas.

This September marks the ninth annual National Preparedness Month. This is a great time for you and your family to review preparedness plans and update emergency kits. Does your business, organization, church or school have an emergency plan? Find out! Many resources are available to help you become prepared and self-reliant in case of a disaster.Reach out to emergency response and preparedness groups in your community for advice or assistance, and participate in events that educate your community about preparedness.

1. Learn about emergency hazards & the appropriate responses
2. Make a communications plan

3. Build an emergency kit

4. Get involved in preparedness in your community

All disasters are inherently local. They affect families and their communities, businesses and their customers, and organizations and their members. It takes all aspects of a community – not just the government – to effectively prepare, respond, and recover from emergencies and disasters. Building community resilience requires close coordination between the government, community organizations, individuals, and emergency managers to plan for the needs of the whole community.

However, the most important thing you can do as an individual is to be self-reliant during disasters

Peparedness is an individual responsibility. If you are prepared, it frees up valuable resources and allows our first responders to assist those who are in the greatest need. Self-reliance also extends to helping neighbors and friends around you who may need help before emergency responders can arrive.

Start preparing now

It is important to prepare now. Families may not be together when an emergency happens and you may not have access to cell phones, gas stations, banks, grocery stores or some of the other things that you are used to having every day. Be informed. Make a plan. Build a kit. Get involved.

Preparedness kits are needed in multiple locations like your home, cars, and at your workplaces

Disasters can happen at any time, so it is important to be prepared at places where you spend large amounts of time, including your home, your office, and your car.

Important Links for Staying Informed, Making a Plan, Building a Kit, and Getting Involved

FEMA’s Ready.gov has disaster preparedness information for your family, with tips on making an emergency plan and a kit. The same information can also be found in Spanish on Listo.gov.

TEEX Emergency Preparedness page has links to information on building a kit and making a plan as well as links to organizations that can help after the disaster.

Information for Pet Owners

Develop a Family Disaster Plan

Evacuation Plans

Quickshare your emergency information: This online application allows you to create an email with basic emergency information to send to family and friends that you would like to contact in the event of an emergency.

Are you Ready Manual (in-depth guide to citizen preparedness), Older Americans, Disabilities and Special Needs, Information for Pet Owners, Ready Kids Publications.

Know which emergencies are most likely to occur in your community. Then check out this list of potential disasters, as well as actions you can take to stay safe: Blackouts, Chemical Threat, Earthquakes, Explosions, Extreme Heat, Fires, Floods, Hurricanes, Influenza Pandemic, Landslide and Debris Flow, (Mudslide), Nuclear Threat, Radiation Threat, Thunderstorms, Tornadoes, Wildfires, Winter Storms and Extreme Cold, Tsunamis and Volcanoes.

Your involvement is crucial in being prepared and taking care of yourself and your family. It also plays a vital role in helping your community react, respond, and recover from emergencies and disasters. Remember to make a plan, get a kit, and stay informed!

Do your kids know two ways out of every room? Have you practiced your family’s fire emergency escape plan? October is Fire Prevention Month, and the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) also sponsors “Fire Prevention Week” from October 7-13, with special emphasis on educating families and children on fire safety.

Along with working smoke detectors and an emergency plan, having a portable fire extinguisher in your home can save lives and property by putting out small fires or containing one until the fire department arrives. But portable extinguishers have limitations. Because fire grows and spreads so rapidly, the No. 1 priority for residents is to get out safely. Make sure everyone in the family knows how to get out quickly, where to meet outside, and how to call 911.

Remember three things when purchasing and using a fire extinguisher: Make Smart Decisions. Get Training. Maintain Your Extinguisher.

Make Smart Decisions

Use a portable fire extinguisher only when:

The fire is confined to a small area, such as a wastebasket, and is not growing;
Everyone has exited the building;
The fire department has been called or is being called;
The room is not filled with smoke; and
Your instincts tell you that it is safe to use an extinguisher.

Know when to go. Fire extinguishers are one element of a fire response plan, but the primary element is safe escape. Every household should have a home fire escape plan and working smoke alarms.

Get Training

Get the right kind of extinguisher. For the home, select a multi-purpose extinguisher (can be used on all types of home fires) that is large enough to put out a small fire, but not so heavy as to be difficult to handle. Check this page for more information on the different types of extinguishers.

Choose a fire extinguisher that carries the label of an independent testing laboratory. Read the instructions that come with the fire extinguisher and become familiar with its parts and operation before a fire breaks out. Local fire departments or fire equipment distributors often offer hands-on fire extinguisher training.

To operate a fire extinguisher, remember the word PASS:

Pull the pin. Hold the extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you, and release the locking mechanism.

Aim low. Point the extinguisher at the base of the fire.

Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly.

Sweep the nozzle from side-to-side.

Watch this great video that demonstrates the technique.

Mount or install fire extinguishers close to an exit and keep your back toward a clear exit when you use the device, so you can make an easy escape if the fire cannot be controlled. If the room fills with smoke, leave immediately. Even if you think you have doused the fire, don’t cancel your emergency call. Let the firefighters decide if the fire is really out.

Maintain Your Extinguisher

Fire extinguishers need to be regularly inspected and checked to ensure that:

They aren’t blocked by furniture, doorways, or anything that might limit access in an emergency.
The pressure is at the recommended level.
All parts are operable.
The outside of the extinguisher is clean. Clean off any oil or grease that might accumulate.
Shake dry chemical extinguishers once a month to prevent the powder from settling or packing. Check the manufacturer's recommendations.
Pressure-test the extinguisher to ensure that the cylinder is safe to use. Check the owner's manual, the label, or the manufacturer to know when to test.
Immediately replace the extinguisher if it needs recharging or is damaged in any way.

Having working smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, and an emergency plan is vital. Possessions can be replaced—but you can’t. Visit TEEX’s Fire Prevention page for more fire safety information, plans, and tips.

Heidi Duckworth Hard is a Communications Specialist with the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service.

Blockbuster Hollywood films such as “Contagion” and “Outbreak” have dramatized mass-casualty disease outbreaks and the ensuing panic as scientists search for a vaccine or cure. In the movies, the main characters find a way to develop and manufacture a vaccine just in time to save the population. But in reality, it can take months or even years to develop and manufacture a new vaccine. And the U.S. has little infrastructure set up for rapid development and manufacture of biopharmaceuticals and vaccines.

But The Texas A&M University System is leading the way toward enhancing the nation’s abilities to counter biological and pandemic threats with vaccine manufacturing in the United States. The A&M System was selected as a U.S.Department of Health and Human Services Center for Innovation in Advanced Development & Manufacturing to bolster the nation’s emergency preparedness by providing surge capacity for vaccines and medical countermeasures to chemical and biological events.

As an education partner in the new center, the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) will play a major role in developing the workforce of skilled technicians who will help bring life-saving therapies to market as the infrastructure for biopharmaceutical manufacturing is built in Texas.

TEEX is partnering with the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station, Texas A&M College of Engineering, Blinn College and Baylor College of Medicine to train the workers needed for the new bio-manufacturing industry.

We have already developed five courses for operators and technicians, and we will be adding even more targeted training. The manufacturing workforce needed for this industry will require skills in good manufacturing practices, processing protocols, clean room techniques, safety, and quality assurance. The National Center for Therapeutics Manufacturing at Texas A&M University will provide student access to wet labs and equipment such as bioreactors and centrifuges as well as other bio-manufacturing devices needed to prepare them for this new career.

Although this is a new training program, TEEX has a long history of expertise in working with manufacturers on improving productivity and implementing lean manufacturing as well as clean-room techniques and product development.

The first TEEX courses in therapeutics manufacturing will be offered in conjunction with Blinn College in the Fall of 2013. Through our articulation agreement with Blinn College, students who complete these courses will be eligible for a one-year certificate program or two-year Associate of Applied Science degree in therapeutics manufacturing. The Blinn certificate and associate’s degree programs were recently approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

We're very excited about how we can help improve the nation’s emergency preparedness for infectious diseases and chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive threats. This dovetails with our other homeland security and emergency preparedness training programs, and has great potential benefits for all citizens.

- by Gary Sera, Director and CEO of the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service.

Christmas is only days away, and with it, the deployment of millions of new Internet devices into the happy hands of young and old. Most of these computers, smart phones, tablets, game consoles, and routers are shipped without any security in place. Personal computers normally come with some type of antivirus installed for a trial period that must be renewed for continued protection.

As more of our personal lives and business live on the Internet, cyber security is moving to the forefront. Education and awareness about the kind of security you need are essential. Some company's advertisements would want you to believe that you are in extreme danger and that their paid monitoring services are essential for cyber survival. Driven by extreme examples, some casual Internet users even feel it necessary to physically disconnect their PC from both the Internet and electrical system. Others may decide against using webcams and communications software for fear that it could be used to spy on them.

On the other hand, Internet security is ignored by many until something "happens." Consequences can range from "someone saying bad things about you on twitter," to losing, at least temporarily, your money, history, ... everything.

To raise awareness and address the growing threat, TEEX’s Knowledge Engineering division, along with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, offer several online cyber security courses. This DHS/FEMA Certified Cyber-Security Training is designed to ensure that the privacy, reliability, and integrity of the information systems that power our global economy remain intact and secure. The 10 courses are offered through three discipline-specific tracks, targeting everyday non-technical computer users, technical IT professionals, and business managers and professionals. These courses are offered at no cost, and students earn a DHS/FEMA Certificate of completion along with Continuing Education Units (CEU) at the completion of each course.

According to Michael Sevier, an instructor with the program, a cyber-security threat may have unforeseen consequences. For example, a cyber attack on a community hospital may have far-reaching repercussions. Unable to operate without electronic medical records, the attack could cause the complete evacuation of the facility, even though it’s a beautiful day and everything else is functioning. The evacuation may tax the resources of the the community's police and fire departments as well as transportation systems and medical facilities. According to Sevier, “Everything is connected on some level, and our goal is to make emergency planners, first responders and entities such as hospitals, power plants and other essential services aware of the threat so that they can prepare and plan.”

Poor personal cyber security can be a threat to large organizations. For example, connecting a work computer which has access to company data on servers, through an insecure wireless network at home or at a local coffee shop, can endanger company data.

To help you ensure your personal devices and home networks are secure this holiday season, our next blog will cover basic personal cyber-security essentials, such as antivirus software for PC’s, how to realistically create and use a secure password, the essentials for game console security and how to make sure your neighbor isn’t piggybacking on your new wireless home router.

In the meantime, check out TEEX’s Cyber Security course offerings. They are free and designed for everyday non-technical computer users, technical IT professionals, and business managers and professionals.

Earlier this week we blogged about the importance of personal cyber security, and how poor practices can endanger personal and company data. In this blog, we’ll address several important items that everyday users encounter and how to secure them.

Anti-Virus Software - Without proper virus protection, your PC may have a Trojan Horse virus quietly waiting to carry out a malicious attack, using your computer and Internet connection.

If you have a personal computer running any version of Windows, you must have up-to-date antivirus software. Fortunately, there are many options available, at costs ranging from free to $200 per year. A new PC will generally come with a trial version of Norton or McAfee antivirus, lasting from 90-days to one year. During the program set-up, pay attention to the automatic updates and scheduled scan settings. Both must work for full protection. Make sure the scheduled scan is during a time when the computer is on and idle. Watch for the automatic updates to occur, usually once per week.

Free antivirus software, such as AVG, protects millions of users daily. Educate yourself by checking reviews on the Internet and use the software you are most comfortable with. Bigger and more expensive isn’t always better, as more layers of protection sometimes slow computers down noticeably. The important note is to use antivirus software of some kind and keep it up to date!

For everyone running iOs (on all Apple products)and Android (on other smart devices), it’s time to accept that your devices are susceptible to the same security problems as Windows pc’s. Install antivirus now so you won’t be the first in your office with problems.

Another thing to be cautious of is using mobile wireless networks in public places with your smartphone. More and more people use their smartphones to access Facebook, twitter, personal emails, and bank accounts. Most smartphones are set up to automatically switch to open access wi-fi accounts when they are available. This leaves the information on your smartphone available to any hacker who sets up a wi-fi hotspot in a public location. To save yourself the possible exposure, turn off the wi-fi on your phone and stick to using the phone's own data plans to gain internet access.

Passwords - Without proper password security, your entire online presence: facebook, movies, and bank accounts can be hacked, hijacked, and erased.

The use of personal passwords seem to have the greatest difference between expectation and reality. In an IT security analyst’s perfect world, each of your passwords would consist of at least ten random letters, numbers and special characters. Each account or device would have a different password and they would change at least every ninety days. Unfortunately, the most popular password in use today is 12345 or password.

Although impractical, we should never use the same password on more than one account. TEEX System Security Analyst Tyler Burwitz has some realistic suggestions for that problem.

Consider three or four primary passwords, each with a different level of security.

A long, complex password, limited to high-security financial accounts.
A different, secure password for other important accounts.
A password for less important accounts.
A “throw away” password, for when you just have to sign up for something.

By using these methods, your bank account can’t get hacked along with your twitter account.

Burwitz offers these suggestions to help you choose more secure passwords.

If the word or phrase is on your facebook page or any other online presence, don’t use it, even with variations. Good examples are pets, places and names.
If it is in the dictionary, don’t use it, even with variations.
Think PassPhrase instead. It doesn’t have to be a word.
Longer is better. A 20-character lower-case password is better than a 10-character complex password.
Use spaces in the password, if allowed.

Once a hacker has a possible password for you, he has programs available that run all the possible variations of the word. If he knows your first pet was named Fido, the program will try Fido1, 1Fido, etc.

One level more secure than a long, complex password is two-step authentication. When a user attempts to log into an account using two-step authentication, the server sends a one-time text code to the users cell phone, which is then entered on the login screen. Even Wired reporter Matt Honan wrote recently how he was hacked and his life erased, even though he was using two-step authentication. According to Burwitz, “If someone has the time and patience, they will figure out how to get your data from you. It's not as hard as you think, usually taking an hour or less.”

Biometrics, such as a fingerprint or iris scan, are beginning to play a greater role in security, but as a second layer of authentication instead of replacing passwords.

Some password security procedures are being reconsidered. For example, is it better to have a poor password changed every 90 days, or a long, complex password that is only changed annually?

Complaints usually accompany mandatory password changes. Burwitz explains those requirements several ways. “First, we have to follow the law. Information Technology Security must maintain a high level. We also must prevent loss of data that can result in financial loss for the agency, as well as damage to our reputation, and in an extreme case, possible personal harm.”

Game Consoles - Many of the latest game consoles have access to the Internet through a home’s wireless router, allowing users to play games with other users worldwide. It’s important that parents understand how this works and take security measures that range from disabling the “live” account to ensuring the users screen name doesn’t divulge personal information. Even though the security settings have been modified to prevent live play with strangers, other players may have different settings allowing unknown persons into the game. Parents should visit the manufacturer’s website to fully understand the capabilities of the game console before giving it access to the Internet.

Wireless Routers - Operating an unsecure wireless router at your home or business leaves you open to compete data loss and responsibility for everything that occurs on your Internet connection.These routers allow our favorite devices to connect to the Internet, as well as share information among themselves. Unfortunately, most routers are shipped with even basic encryption disabled, allowing an outsider to do several nasty things, from slowing Internet speeds by using bandwidth to stealing your files and data.

In the past, setting the highest level of security possible for your wireless router was difficult and frustrating. The latest routers use a push-button method to connect devices, while older routers still require passwords. If you are having difficulty, consult the setup instructions that came with the router or the manufacturer’s website. You can also search YouTube for “connecting to the (insert router model here) router” or a similar phrase. Finally, Burwitz suggests, “Call a family member who knows what they're doing, probably your 15-year-old son or grandson. Also, some companies allow IT personnel to help you in this type of situation.” The important message is to get help to secure the router.

In 2013 and beyond, we must approach personal online security with the same emphasis as locking our home or car and caring for our purses and wallets. We must also be mindful that our poor security habits can compromise other computers or networks. Please take the time to have a safe, secure Internet experience this holiday.

Matt Honan’s Wired article - Kill the Password: Why a String of Characters Can’t Protect Us Anymore

Sam White owns a technology consulting company and is
an adjunct communications specialist for TEEX.

As one of the largest extension and vocational training organizations in the nation, TEEX is committed to helping the men and women who served our country to retrain for a new career in the civilian workforce. We are part of the great military tradition at Texas A&M University, and we have been training military veterans since World War II.

The U.S Department of Labor reports the unemployment rate of veterans from the post-9/11 era is hovering at 11.7 percent. We agree with the Department of Labor that the number is too high, and we support federal efforts to help out-of-work or underemployed veterans get the training they need to get back in the job market.The need for quality training and education programs will grow as an estimated 1.5 million service members transition out of the military over the next five years.

Offering a wide variety of vocational and industrial training programs, TEEX is a Non-College-Degree School affiliated with The Texas A&M University System, a military veteran-friendly institution of higher education.

http://www.vetfriendlytoolkit.org/

We offer a variety of certificate programs approved by the Veterans Administration (VA) to assist veterans in furthering their education and training, while leveraging their veterans benefits. Some programs are also VA education benefit approved for wounded warriors. All of our VA education benefit approved programs are offered in Bryan-College Station and other locations across Texas. No college degree is required and training varies from one week to nine months. We have fast-track options that can get you on the job faster and many of our programs are eligible for college credit at an accredited two-year or four-year college.

Many of the approved programs train veterans for careers in public service, such as firefighters, law enforcement officers and emergency medical technicians. Health and safety officials and unexploded ordnance technicians are also popular programs for military veterans. There is a growing need for people in these fields, and often veterans have military experience and transferable skills they can leverage into careers in their chosen fields

Perhaps you have always dreamed of becoming a firefighter. Or your military training and experience would provide the basis for a career as a police officer, an Emergency Medical Technician or an Unexploded Ordnance Technician. One of the advantages of our VA education benefit approved programs is that veterans can obtain a certification and begin work quicker than they would through a two- or four-year college program – but still have the option of applying for college credits should they decide later to pursue a college degree.

TEEX programs can train you for fulfilling careers as a:

*Peace officer

*Firefighter or Fire Instructor

*EMT-Basic or Paramedic

*Unexploded Ordnance Technician

*Certified Safety & Health Official

* Solar PV Installer

In addition to meeting the standards of the Veterans Administration, our programs meet or exceed the rigorous requirements of the National Board on Fire ServiceProfessional Qualifications (ProBoard), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), American Council on Education (ACE), International Association forContinuing Education and Training (IACET), Texas Department of State HealthServices, Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP)), ElectronicsTechnicians Association-International (ETA-I) or Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education (TCLEOSE), to name a few.

At TEEX you will receive hands-on, practical training from knowledgeable instructors with real-world experience in the field. One in six of our employees are veterans, so we understand the challenges you face, and we’re there to help. We have a dedicated Veterans Liaison to walk you through the application process and the VA paperwork required to claim your education benefits.

TEEX is proud to join other members of The Texas A&M University System to ensure that our military veterans transition from active duty to fulfilling and meaningful careers in the civilian workforce.

For more information on TEEX Veterans programs visit www.teex.org/VA.

For more information on veterans programs in The Texas A&M University System, visit the Veterans Support Office: http://www.tamus.edu/home/veterans/. You can also visit the Veterans Administration to learn more about accessing your benefits: https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/.

Steven Robinson is the Veterans Liaison for the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service. In 2012, he received the Presidential Award from the Western Association of Veteran Education Specialists (WAVES). He also serves as a Peer Facilitator for the Brazos ValleyVeterans Peer Network Support and is a member of the WAVES Executive Board.

FireFighterAcademy.commay be the new kid on the block when it comes to eLearning, but the comprehensive, blended learning course has nearly 200 years of firefighter training and education experience behind it. The Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX), renowned for its hands-on firefighter training that began in 1930, has joined with Pennwell Corporation’s Fire Engineering Books & Videos to offer prospective firefighters a new option for obtaining the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1001 Firefighter I and II certification.

In a fast-paced world where schedules are demanding, FireFighterAcademy.com is a fast-track solution to a fulfilling career in fire and emergency services. The online firefighter course unites educational technology with proven training methods that are geared for tomorrow’s fire and emergency service leaders. But with a combined 545 hours of training, the course doesn’t skimp on the essential knowledge and skills firefighters need to be effective and stay safe.

“Our number one goal is and always has been providing high-quality education and realistic hands-on training,” says Robert Moore, Director of TEEX’s Emergency Services Training Institute and the Brayton Fire TrainingField. “With FireFighterAcademy.com, we’re proud to say we’re continuing this tradition through the dynamic, blended learning environment designed and developed here at TEEX in partnership with PennWell Publishing.”

FireFighterAcademy.com provides cutting edge, intuitive training modules for fire and emergency response personnel who are serious about safety, survival, and effective firefighting techniques. It is designed to meet and surpass all knowledge and skill requirements for the NFPA 1001 Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications and NFPA 472 relating to Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Incidents.

Students have up to 90 days to complete the 335-hour online portion of the training, which is followed by an intensive, 21-day, 210-hour hands-on skills training session at the renowned Brayton Fire Training Field in College Station, Texas.

The online course includes nearly 400 videos demonstrating firefighting skills along with commentaries from nationally known training instructors. Students train in a virtual classroom, which prepares them for the intensive, hands-on skills training and NFPA 1001 certification testing at the Brayton Fire Training Field.

The physical skills training portion includes daily physical fitness activities and live-fire training under top-notch instructors. The recruit firefighters extinguish fires engulfing everything from dumpsters and vehicles to warehouses and industrial terminals. Each student receives extensive training on the safe operation of emergency vehicles in a variety of driving situations. They also get hands-on training on fire apparatus, such as working with a fire hose, operating pump panels, drafting water and calculating water flow to a fire. All the training emphasizes safety and personal preparedness, and each student is issued a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) unit to use while in training.

The comprehensive program runs seven days a week and also includes training in rescue techniques, along with the ropes, knots and hitches used during rappelling, rigging hauling systems, and lowering/raising of victims. The recruit firefighters also receive training in HAZMAT operations and response measures.

Students who pass both the skills testing and the written exam for each level receive up to six Pro Board certifications and are considered a certified firefighter. The blended learning course has graduated 22 certified firefighters since it was launched in 2012, and everyone passed the Pro Board NFPA 1001 Firefighter I and II certification exam. The program currently has 44 prospective firefighters enrolled.

The online Recruit Fire Training Academy is also recognized by Blinn College, which offers up to 25 college credit hours to those who complete the program. This agreement means that veterans or other students who enroll in the program through Blinn College are eligible for financial aid as well as college credit.

As 2012 graduate David Bohls commented: “It is not possible to compare the education that TEEX offers its online students because it does not compare to anyone else! TEEX is providing a comprehensive and real-world education to all that want to become firefighters."

To hear from more students, watch this video from the second class of the online class: http://bit.ly/VHbVNw, or visit us online atFireFighterAcademy.com.

– Jason Loyd

A certified firefighter with a Bachelor's degree in Business Management concentrating on Fire Service Administration, Jason Loyd is the Online Training Manager for TEEX Emergency Services Training Institute. The second edition of Jason's book, Fundamentals of Fire and Emergency Services, will be released in August 2013. Contact Jason at Jason.Loyd@teex.tamu.edu with any questions about the online academy.

The Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (CVM) is no stranger to helping out in times of emergency. Through Hurricanes Rita, Katrina and after, the CVM has provided assistance to both injured and evacuated animals in the Brazos Valley. But Hurricane Ike demonstrated to emergency response personnel that sometimes more immediate, on-site veterinary help was needed, and the Texas A&M Veterinary Emergency Team (VET) was formed at the request of the Texas Animal Health Commission.

This video from MyVNN encapsulates the need for quick response from trained organizations like the Veterinary Emergency Team, who provided footage for this piece:

VET prepares veterinary professionals and students to participate in emergency response efforts at local, state, and federal levels. Working together, the deployable response team consists of trained faculty and staff: veterinarians, veterinary technicians, senior veterinary medicine students and auxiliary staff. They run practice exercises with Texas Task Force 1, and also attend all of the Task Force canine training exercises. See photos from the TX-TF1 annual mobilization exercise in April 2013 on the Vet Med Facebook page: http://on.fb.me/118BQqG.

They are also deployed along with the Task Force when necessary. So, sometimes a student's Community Connection rotation becomes more real than practice. The West, Texas, deployment in April was a defining moment for two fourth year students: Joseph Wagner and Brittany Marvel.

Joseph Wagner expected to take part in a simulated disaster scenario when he signed up for the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine’s Community Connections rotation. Instead, he was called out on a real deployment when a fertilizer plant exploded in West,Texas.

“On the night of Wednesday, April 17th, I received a text message from a friend, indicating the ongoing apparent disaster in West, Texas. Instead of practicing first response techniques in a simulation, we were deployed to the real thing. For 2.5 days I, along with 3 other students, assisted the Veterinary Emergency Team in the response to the fertilizer plant explosion in West, Texas. This was the first time I’ve been a part of such a massive disaster. Our primary role was to treat the search and rescue dogs as well as any pets collected from the disaster zone. This culminated in us receiving and processing approximately 80 pets which were then transported to the local animal shelter to be reunited with their owners.

This experience changed the way in which I see myself as a soon-to-be veterinarian. Although the devastation shocked me, I was left with a powerful and resonating notion of pride and satisfaction with what we did. The victims of this explosion lost everything. Some lost mothers and fathers; others lost sons and daughters. Many lost friends. More lost their homes. But at the end of the day, most still had their pets. And they had their pets because of what VET did.

The tireless work in documenting and treating each animal we came across facilitated their return to their owners. When families returned to what once were their homes, they knew their lives had changed forever. But we could provide them with the dog or cat they thought was surely lost. Amidst the darkness and chaos comes a small sliver of hope. And this hope may be all they have. From that point they can reassess, rebuild, and recover.

This rotation changed the way in which I perceive my duties within the veterinary profession. It has allowed me to take a step back from the algorithms of medicine and precision of surgery to ask myself, 'When the time comes, can I use my skills to help my neighbors? Will I?'

Seeing firsthand the profound effect their work in West had on those victims, I cannot sit idly by when disaster strikes again. I would not trade my experiences on this rotation for anything. It has strengthened my commitment to my fellowman in ways I could not conceive.”

~Joseph Wagner

For Brittany Marvel, another veterinary student who assisted the Veterinary Emergency Team during the West deployment, advance planning and preparation for an emergency makes a world of difference.

“It’s difficult to think about your life being uprooted and forever changed in a split second. This truly 'sunk in' as I looked upon the destruction caused by the explosion in West. Having now seen devastating loss first hand, I understand why the Community Connections rotation and Veterinary Emergency Team are so vital. And why it’s important to have thought about and planned in case of an emergency. Ignorance will not always be bliss.

The Veterinary Emergency Team was well equipped and able to respond quickly in just a matter of hours. Teams so well equipped and trained do not suddenly appear, although to the public eye, it may seem that way. But it was only after I was led through the process of preparing a plan for a shelter, for a temporary veterinary clinic, for my own personal evacuation, and now especially having seen these plans be put into action in West, that I comprehend the depth of planning required. Haphazard planning results in flashlights without batteries; thoughtful planning results in a team well equipped and trained to handle whatever may come. Our team moved seamlessly through the triage process of each animal and was able to deliver each animal to safety. I call that success!

I also learned in West that it takes a community to run a first response mission. The American Red Cross deserved a standing ovation for providing warm meals to our team and the Task Force… it allowed the Veterinary Emergency Team and Task Force to aid in full capacity. Resources such as this are vital to keep the team up and running, but are often overlooked as not 'part of the mission.' Having other first responding entities like the American Red Cross and local schools (who donated their locker rooms for us to shower in), means that our team and the Task force were able to focus on our overarching missions. I learned that partnering with community leaders such as these to ensure that the team’s needs are met results in better service. I’m also thankful for those who give to entities such as this, and I hope they know the impact of their gift.

However, the bottom line for me was this: The Veterinary Emergency Team is about loving people. (The animals are definitely loved too!) But the team in West gave up their lives at home and all their comforts to help others they did not even know. Looking at the destruction and placing yourself in the shoes of those who lost so much, certainly makes you realize what recovery of a beloved pet means. The Veterinary Emergency Team works countless hours to recover animals to bring people hope; they are certainly lovers of people, and exemplify sacrifice of self for the betterment of others. While in veterinary school … we cannot forget that veterinary care is more than just treating the animal; it’s about love for people and community who care for those animals. This team’s sacrifice, without a doubt, summed up why I am so proud to become an Aggie Veterinarian.”

~Brittany Marvel

Joseph Wagner and Brittany Marvel are two of the four Aggie Veterinarian fourth year students who participated in the response team that deployed to West, Texas following the fertilizer plant explosion. The addition of the VET to the Task Force arsenal has only strengthened the response capabilities available to the state and the nation.

In June 2013, I responded to one of the largest natural disasters to ever strike the province of Alberta, Canada. The severe weather and disastrous flood that struck on June 20 claimed four lives and left an estimated $500 million or more in damages. More than 100,000 people in southern Alberta were evacuated, including everyone in downtown Calgary.

I was deployed for more than two weeks - with Canadian Task Force 2 and then as part of the Strathcona County Emergency Services Technical Rescue Team from Sherwood Park, Alberta.

This response reinforced for me the importance of emergency response training, especially the training in structural collapse and rescue techniques I received at Disaster City® through the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service.

Initially, Canadian Task Force 2 was assigned to assist with search and evacuation. The first 40-hour push was very busy and very aggressive on evacuation. We were doing a lot of structural assessment triage and damage assessments, going from house to house in neighborhoods. I definitely used the hard skills I learned in Advanced Structural Collapse courses at TEEX. I knew what to look for in assessing buildings and structural damage. Before the deployment ended, we had facilitated 6,500 structural assessments.

After the 40-hour push, we were asked to protect critical infrastructure, including keeping water out of a large communications hub. Other people were assigned to protect the energy and electrical hubs for the city. No matter what your ‘title,’ you have to be flexible in a deployment – you often have to be a ‘jack-of-all-trades.’

We were very fortunate. Working with the Calgary Fire Department and using pumps, we were able to keep the infrastructure working except the electric power in the immediate impact area.

Down the river from Calgary, the town of High River, population 13,000, was very hard hit by the flooding. After Canadian Task Force 2 was demobilized, I deployed with the Strathcona County Technical Rescue Team to assist in High River. One of the severely damaged areas was where two rivers converged in the community.

Working with a structural engineer, we set up a mapping system and planned how to assess each structure. There were many challenges, including a mobile home park where most of the homes had been displaced. Just going through this neighborhood when every home had been moved was a challenge to figure out which home went where and its original address. In other areas of the community, street signs and homes had been moved or washed away, so we had to conduct size-up, categorize the homes by a marking system and reestablish the original location. We mapped out and evaluated 80 structures, checking walls, looking for cracks or shifting, checking window and door openings, and looking for movement of electrical and gas hookups.

Although we train to respond to natural disasters, the devastation we encountered during this incident was difficult to process. Your training just kicks in. The real-world training I received at TEEX helped prepare me for this response. One of the biggest plusses is the realism of the props at Disaster City. Everything there has been engineered to look like it’s been damaged or stressed, so you shift into that mindset. The instructors quiz you about what you are seeing, and what to look for in damaged structures, so you can apply this concept to a real world disaster.

The training evolutions possible at Disaster City and the efficiency of the instruction provide a real-world tempo – the instructors keep you going, going, going. The props are set up to facilitate time on task and training, without downtime for resetting a prop, whether it is concrete breaching or shoring. The logistical support means downtime is minimized; tools are switched out promptly. This efficiency and real-world tempo go together for an excellent training experience. And the structure of the training means teams from different nations could integrate together in multinational teams very well.

Also, the background and knowledge of the full-time and adjunct instructors are phenomenal. They are people who have had real world experience with large-scale incidents. Some of the participants in the Advanced Structural Collapse 4 class last April were members of Texas Task Force 1 and had to leave during the class to deploy to a fertilizer plant explosion in West, Texas.

When I returned for the Advanced Structural Collapse 5 class, they did a presentation to the group about the recent deployment and lessons learned. They give you takeaways from their experience that you can apply. It’s this type of real-world experience and hands-on training you can’t get anywhere else. I feel very fortunate to have been exposed to this specialized training, and it’s having a ripple effect here in Alberta.

I first came to Disaster City in January 2010 and spent my best birthday ever -– breaking concrete. Even though I’ve been back several times since then, you can’t appreciate the scope and the scale and the structural details until you are inside Disaster City. Every time I go back, it’s another ‘Wow’ moment. The whole experience has been phenomenal.

~ Lt. Russ Bubenko serves on the operations staff of the Strathcona County Emergency Services, Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada. He is also a member of Canadian Task Force 2, and is currently one of three Canadians to earn the US&R Rescue Specialist Certificate from TEEX.

Plant explosions, tornadoes, wildfires, and other events made 2013 a busy year for rescue teams. No matter what the situation, everyone’s safety and success depends on the dedication and training of each teammate – including our canine companions. Search and rescue dogs, like those in Texas Task Force 1’s canine group, are often the first to respond to a crisis or disaster. Have you ever wondered how these dogs “make the team,” or what it takes to find just the right search dog? We’ll take a look at key characteristics of a good search dog, and some of the main factors in the selection process.

Youthful exuberance or mellow maturity?

One of the first decisions when selecting a search dog is whether to choose a puppy or an adult. Each has pros and cons to consider when looking for the right match for an individual or organization.

Puppies

Cuddly, cute, fun, playful…these words come to mind when thinking of a puppy. These characteristics can make working with puppies enjoyable, and of course, there can be a wide variety of puppies from which to choose. Since becoming a search dog is a bit like earning a college degree, starting the training early can also help.

On the flip side, puppies can only learn so much at a time – like kids (and some adults!) they have shorter attention spans and they will take longer to train. More time has to be spent initially just learning manners and simple commands, which adult dogs may have already learned. “Puppy tests” are poor predictors, so sometimes a great deal of training time has already been spent when we realize that a particular pup just isn’t cut out for the job. Also, puppies may develop physical or temperament problems as they get older.

If a puppy is selected, the key is to select a puppy from parents who have good kids!

Adults

Choosing an adult search dog offers a whole different set of tradeoffs. In a nutshell, what you see is what you get. Adult search dogs offer a high prediction of success, reduced training time, and the ability to screen for physical problems. Disadvantages include a limited number of quality candidates to choose from, and in some cases limited knowledge about the dog’s early years and genetic history for breeding purposes. Some of these can be overcome by choosing a dog from a breeder who has raised them from a puppy, but many good candidates can be found at shelters, or even in your own backyard!

Selecting a sociable dog with a drive to succeed

Screening tips

Before beginning training, a careful selection process is essential in locating the right dog for this difficult job. To make the first cut, the canine candidate must bein good physical condition, at an ideal weight and maturity, and able to handle themselves in unfamiliar settings. During a screening process, it is important to look for sociability; composure; comfort around other dogs and people; and drive. These characteristics are important so that the dog can do its job in the often uncomfortable and unfamiliar working environments faced by disaster search and rescue canines. One way to screen for composure is have dogs search for a toy in a novel setting, and observe the dog’s willingness and reaction to the challenge.

Instinct, Drive and Focus

Ideally, a search dog can be found who was “born for the job”; one who has great instincts and a drive to perform. To measure drive, a handler should assess the dog’s willingness to hunt for a non-visible toy for at least one minute, while the dog is in a typical disaster search environment. A reliable measure of drive is independent possession. For this assessment, the handler plays with the dog, and once the dog is engaged with a toy, the handler ignores the dog for 1 minute. A dog that plays vigorously with the toy, guards it, or maintains focus on it for the entire minute that the handler is disengaged is a dog with the drive to succeed. If you’ve properly screened a dog…they practically train themselves!

Testing and Training

After the screening process, testing and certification is the final phase before a search dog goes on the job. The Certification Evaluation is performed by FEMA US&R (Urban Search and Rescue) teams about nine times a year. In order to pass the certification test, Canine Search Specialists and their canine partners need to search two search areas (simulating disaster sites) and locate the victims completely hidden in the rubble. The teams have only 20 minutes to search each rubble pile! The certified teams need to retest every three years to maintain their deployability status. In order to attend one of these evaluations, testing teams need to be part of a FEMA (federal) or SUSAR (state) US&R Task Force.

Once the testing is complete, the handler will continue to evaluate the dog’s performance and incorporate lessons learned into training sessions. Because of a proven screening process, training time, which previously took 1-2 years, has been reduced to about six months. The canine members of TX-TF1 train at Disaster City®, which is also a FEMA-recognized training facility. With proper training and certification, the K9 will now be ready to respond … prepared to search for victims of the next disaster.

For more information about TX-TF1 K9 Training, contact Susann Brown at Susann.brown@teex.tamu.edu or at 979-458-5681.

by Susann Brown, K9 Training Manager, Texas Task Force 1.

It is no secret that the manufacturing sector in the United States has been declining for several years; however, momentum is turning around. According to the National Association of Manufacturers’ website, manufacturers contributed $1.87 trillion to the economy in 2012, up from $1.73 trillion in 2011. This was 11.9 percent of GDP. For every $1.00 spent in manufacturing, another $1.48 is added to the economy, the highest multiplier effect of any economic sector.

It is obvious that for the U.S. to remain a powerhouse in the global economy, the manufacturing sector must continue to grow. If you are a business owner, you know that increasing your workforce creates many challenges, particularly when special skill sets are needed, such as welding. When advanced job skills are required, such as welding exotic metals in different positions, an employer has two options.

First, the company can attempt to hire someone who already possesses the needed knowledge, skills, and abilities, but that individual is typically in high demand and may require a high salary just to get them through the door. Plus, retention of these workers is difficult since they will likely have multiple opportunities available to them.

Second, an employer can develop a highly skilled workforce from within by hiring a person with few or basic skills, but with the right kind of character and potential. Then the difficulty is how to train the newly hired workers in the skillsets the company needs.

One alternative is to place the new hire in the plant, along-side a more experienced worker for on-the-job training (OJT). But this could take many months and reduces the productivity of the experienced personnel. A second alternative is to hire graduates of a trade school or community college who have the basic skill knowledge. However, this still requires a lengthy OJT process for the new hire to learn the specialized skills and techniques needed by the company.

Now there is a third option: on-site, fast-track training for entry-level employees that is customized to the skillsets the company needs.

Your Training Partner for On-site Training

This innovative option to developing your workforce is to contract with a training partner that will take your new and existing workforce and develop the exact skill set needed to satisfy your specific requirements. This revolutionary new attitude toward training can take new hires with no skills and turn them into a productive labor force within weeks, not months.

The key aspect of this type of training involves providing an intensive, hands-on class right at the start. Once the new hires have been certified to the required level, then the on-the-job training can begin, with much less time, supervision, and hand-holding than is normally required. The training partner brings the training and all equipment needed to your facility to maximize skills development. A real bonus to this type of training is that it instills commitment and loyalty on the part of the trainees and the hiring company. The trainees are more productive and retention rates are vastly improved.

Mobile Outreach Skills Training (M.O.S.T.)

One example of this on-site training partnership is the Advanced Manufacturing Skills Training provided by Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) Knowledge Engineering. The M.O.S.T.® (Mobile Outreach Skills Training) Certified Welder program is a 2- or 3-week course customized to a company’s products. Certifications are offered for carbon steel and exotic materials in 1G through 6G positions. All training is delivered on-site at the manufacturing facility, utilizing a state-of-the-art welding simulator and expert instructors on the M.O.S.T. mobile unit.

Since this intensive skills training program began in Florida in 2008, the completion rate has been 94% with a 90-day retention rate of 91%.

If you are interested in learning more about the M.O.S.T.® Certified Welder program, visit our website or contact Lisa Mutchler at: lisa.mutchler@teex.tamu.edu, 979-458-6722 or (800) 541-7149

Explosive entry continues to grow in American Law Enforcement, and it can be a viable tactical option for high-risk warrants and hostage rescues. The 40-hour TEEX Explosive Breacher Entry course is designed to increase the knowledge of this tactic and its appropriate application, and to provide hands-on skills training for SWAT, Tactical, and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams.

During this five-day explosive entry training course, participants learn to construct distraction devices and the proper use of other explosives by conducting approximately 60 detonations, using various amounts of explosives, on Class 1 Steel doors as well as solid wood and hollow core doors. The training helps to ensure proper logging, placement and application of methods used to gain entry in a safe but effective manner. A recent participant describes his experience:

As a bomb tech in California, I have attended a large number of schools. I am taking the time to write this evaluation because I am so impressed with the quality of this explosive breacher school. To begin with, Kelly Boaz and Joseph Littlejohn were the perfect instructors for this course. Their personal knowledge and experience went far beyond ‘subject matter experts.’ Even with their tactical background, they communicated effectively and were great teachers…

There were at least six different types of charges for students to build. There were at least five different types of doors… It goes without saying that we as students completed a lot of breaches. Yet I was amazed that I learned something new with every shot we built.

Last, where the true application of this information began was in the ‘shoot house.’…The scenario selected was spot on and demonstrated the need for Bomb and SWAT teams to work together in the future.

The use of simulations elevated the realism to an unprecedented level and really drove into my mind the reasons for tactical awareness... I must say I am very impressed and would recommend this class to all supervisors and outside agencies I work with. Well done.

Nicholas Kennedy, Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, California

About TEEX

World renowned for its hands-on, customized training, the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) offers a wide range of technical and skills training programs in emergency response and Homeland Security. TEEX provides training and technical assistance to people from all 50 states, five U.S. territories, the District of Columbia and 79 countries. The agency is a member of The Texas A&M University System and has delivered law enforcement extension training for more than 70 years.

John M. Harrell has worked in and around the oil and gas industry for much of his life. Employed in risk management for 20 years, he saw an opportunity to serve several industries through a focus on safety. Partnering with his son John R. Harrell, who had been working in the aerospace industry for over 12 years, the Harrells found the perfect path to their goal through the TEEX Certified Safety and Health Official™ (CSHO) program.

Initially named John Harrell Safety, the father and son team renamed their business Axis Safety Consultants, LLC, after receiving their CSHO credentials. The company, based out of Boerne, Texas, specializes in safety training, and outfitting safety trailers and “cool down” trailers for job sites. Initially, the fact that Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) is a part of The Texas A&M University System, along with the recommendation of a friend who had received CSHO – General Industry credentials through the TEEX training program, caught their attention. “After looking at programs offered through several other colleges and universities, we liked the connection between TEEX and Texas A&M University, so we chose the TEEX CSHO track.”

Because of the quality and depth of safety training available through TEEX, and the variety of courses and tracks offered, there are many options for individuals seeking CSHO credentials. The Harrells chose the Quik-Trac construction and oil field endorsements. “I have seen times where one industry will be doing well, and the other not so well, so we wanted to try to have our bases covered as a business,” said John M. They were able to train in First Aid, CPR and H₂S Instructor Development, all adding to their expertise and business value.

The Quik-Trac program allows safety and health professionals to earn their CSHO certificate in as few as four months by taking classes at a single location. John M. said that this fast track program worked well for them because of its flexibility.

The TEEX courses were top-notch, John said. “The instructors were a wealth of knowledge and experience, and they all represented the Texas A&M System very well,” he added. “The instructors had a way of letting us know that they really cared about us and our futures; they did their best to make sure we walked out of the class with the knowledge we needed to be successful.”

The CSHO credentials have set them apart from many and given them the confidence to succeed. “We are now more observant of construction job sites and oil field practices. We have helped our customers implement simple safety measures that are often overlooked, such as having first aid kits in their trucks, and maintaining and storing tools as recommended by the manufacturer,” John notes. “Additionally, the TEEX CSHO training has helped us pay more attention and recognize potential hazards in the field.”

Just as a friend recommended this course to him, he plans to recommend the TEEX CSHO program to others. “It’s like being part of a brotherhood.”

- -- Alison Sawyer, Communications Specialist, Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service

Service, Commitment and Leadership: These three values are integral pieces of Daniel Velarde’s personal and professional life. Throughout his 20-year military career to his second career in safety training, Daniel has always been ready to learn. Multiple training opportunities, culminating with the TEEX Certified Safety and Health Official (CSHO) program, have been a natural step for someone dedicated to serving others.

During his 20 years in the U.S. Air Force, which included deployments to Saudi Arabia and Iraq, he worked in a civil engineering group as Heavy Equipment Operator and then Heavy Equipment Crew Leader. Velarde’s commitment to leadership propelled him to a role as a training leader and unit safety officer where he trained office personnel on safety and risk management.

He studied to become a paralegal, which led to opportunities with the Judge Advocate General Corps, where he eventually managed a legal office. Then he was tapped to establish a new Environmental Law Field Support Center in San Antonio, serving both as an office manager and a paralegal for complex environmental litigation.

On Flag Day, June 14, 2013, Velarde celebrated his Retirement Ceremony in San Antonio. One month later, he found out about TEEX from a friend, who knew of his interest in the environmental field and his background in law and policy.

“I learned that TEEX offers a program for veterans, and I thought it would be a great opportunity for me,” he said. “I had met the requirements of serving honorably, and the GI benefits application was fairly simple. I reached Steve Robinson, the Veteran’s Liaison for TEEX, who pointed me in the right direction, and I was able to get started with TEEX training courses right away.”

As a student in the CSHO fast-track program, Velarde attended courses at several different TEEX campuses -- including San Antonio, Austin, and Mesquite. During this time, he completed the OSHA Train-the-Trainer General Industry safety and health outreach program, as well as the Train-the-Trainer Construction Industry course.

In addition to General Industry and Construction courses, he gained professional training in PEC Safeland Safe Gulf, Medic First Aid Adult and Infant CPR, Aerial Working Platform, Forklift train-the-trainer, Fall Protection, Confined Space, and Hydrogen Sulfide. He accumulated about 426 credit hours in less than six months. The TEEX program not only helped him improve his safety training knowledge, he said, but also helped him to acquire better teaching and communications skills, and improved reporting methods.

Velarde was already receiving job offers, but wanted to complete his training in order to gain the most knowledge. This commitment to excellence also paid off – upon finishing his coursework, he did find the right job. His years of military service, combined with the recognized TEEX CSHO classes helped him to land a great job and negotiate his salary.

“The training provided that leverage, and helped me to become a strong candidate,” said Daniel. “I truly feel that TEEX helped me make a name for myself and become established.”

Initially he was hired by ENERGES Oilfield Solutions dba Mesa Safety Services, where he worked with oil and gas clients in Texas, New Mexico, North Dakota, and Pennsylvania. Then in December 2014, he started his own company, The Safe-Way Training Company (TSWTC, Inc.) based out of San Antonio, and continues third-party consulting for Mesa Safety Services.

His values of service, commitment, and leadership continue to shine through, and the CSHO courses offered by TEEX have helped him continue to serve others by sharing the importance of safety, and ultimately, saving lives.

By Alison Sawyer, Communication Specialist
Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service

I want to share with you my recent experience with a TEEX course, ORT300 for NFPA 1001 Firefighter I & II along with HAZMAT. I was a volunteer firefighter and have been dreaming of serving as a full-time firefighter for a long time. Taking 2 years off of work to be able to take a traditional Canadian course unfortunately was not an option for me. I am married and have a daughter, so I was not able to put my family on hold for two years without income.

When I learned about the TEEX online/boot camp course, I found it to be an excellent way for me to get my NFPA 1001 Firefighter I & II.

Online Training

The online course was excellent! Having a background in firefighting, I found it both appealing for someone with some background as well as covering the basics for students starting from scratch. The videos and questions were excellent as well as the online forum postings.

One of my concerns taking this course was that I was going to be studying after work and weekends. I was worried about not being able to get help during those hours. I found out that I couldn’t have been more wrong! All the way through the online course, I was blown away by the support I received from the instructors. Mr. Jason Loyd’s help was amazing! Every time I had a question, he was there to help, it didn’t matter the time.

Mr. Rhett Filburn also offered his help with any questions and a great building assignment as well as help with knots. He also responded promptly to emails and any questions I had. Mr. Benjamin Miller also helped me out with HAZMAT questions I had and also helped me stay on track with physical fitness guides and updates. All in all, the support I received during the online course was more than I expected. The instructors were available and encouraged any questions or feedback.

Boot Camp

After completing the online course I then arrived in College Station, TX, for my 21-day boot camp. The first thing I noticed was that the facilities, from the washrooms all the way to equipment storage, everything was clean, well-maintained and in excellent condition!

I will break up my boot camp review in 4 sections: Physical Training, HAZMAT, Firefighter I & II and Instructors.

Physical Training

The physical training was excellent! I never thought I could be pushed that hard. The encouragement from the instructors was great. The fitness exercises were geared around firefighting, like climbing the tower, controlling your breathing, etc. I also found that the team-building was a great part of it. As much as they pushed us, they had a great program for students that were injured. They pushed me to my limits but never pushed me to do something I was unable to do. Stretching before and after every PT session was great! Excellent program!

HAZMAT

In my opinion, HAZMAT is a tough subject to teach. There is a lot of material to cover and in the short amount of time that we had, it was well covered and the instructors were excellent! The hands-on portion was realistic, and I learned a lot from it. The exam portion was very well organized and well thought-out. There were a lot of us, and it flowed really well. I did have to get help with the HAZMAT PPE section of my testing and the after-hours help was excellent! Great job on the HAZMAT portion!

Firefighter I & II

When I found out the number of people that were attending this course, my first thought was that I was not going to get the one-on-one time with instructors I would have got if I was in a smaller group. Boy, was I wrong! The course was well-planned and every training session I attended was excellent! The training materials were great! Everything from bunker drills, ladder training, live-fire training was done safely and professionally. I have nothing but great memories and learned so much from this course. The intensity and flow of the course was amazing. I ran into a couple of minor issues with my SCBA and they were resolved by the next morning. I cannot say enough good things about the training! Excellent job!

Instructors

I wish I had a list of all the instructors’ names to be able to personally thank each one of them. The instructors taught not only firefighting, but also taught by example. Every one of the instructors showed passion and professionalism. They were approachable, friendly and led by example! I can’t say enough about the group of instructors we had! They encouraged us, offered extra help after hours, showed us different ways to do things, shared personal experiences and their passion was contagious!

I never had a day where I had an instructor that gave me the impression that they “had to be there.” I have been to firefighter course in the past where the content was great, but the instructors gave the impression that they were looking forward to the end of the day; but with the amount of hours we had, I always saw 100% effort with every instructor.

TEEX should be proud of the team of instructors they have! Chief Loyd, Buford, Deemer, Filburn, Stewart, Miller, Seaback, Dugan, Hindman, Carsey, Ford, York, Connor and all the ones I missed: these guys are top-notch and are excellent role models and instructors I am thankful I had the chance to meet and learn from! Instructors can make or break a course and they sure made this course an excellent one! Excellent job, guys!

In conclusion, I want to say thank you for giving me the opportunity to get my certification. I would not have been able to do this with a traditional course. I will make sure I represent the TEEX name with pride when one day I serve full-time as a firefighter, in part, thanks to TEEX. I would recommend this course to anyone!

by Joel Woods of Kawartha Lakes, Ontario, Canada. Woods, 35, completed the TEEX Online Firefighter Recruit Academy, held Sept. 2 - Dec. 22, 2014, and is now a certified firefighter.

When nurse Nina Pham contracted the Ebola virus and was hospitalized for treatment last October, her canine companion, Bentley, came into the care of Dallas Animal Services. This presented the city with a rare situation in which a veterinary patient was also a potential source of a contagion, essentially a hazardous material, and veterinary staff had to take protective precautions far beyond their normal experience with personal protective equipment, or PPE.

With no procedures in place to draw on for best practices, they called on the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) and the Texas A&M Veterinary Emergency Team (TAMU VET) to provide some expert assistance. Dr. Debra Zoran and Dr. Wesley Bissett from TAMU VET supported the staff charged with Bentley’s medical monitoring. TEEX hazardous materials specialists Ron Batchelor and Lori Peace consulted with the veterinarians regarding safety, site assessment, procedures and best practices for handling potential contaminants, as well as providing decontamination support for the dog’s caregivers.

Dallas Animal Services obtained a vacant officers’ quarters building at Hensley Field, a part of the Dallas Naval Air Station. Bentley took up residence in a back room that was draped with tarps and contained a crate filled with soft materials, toys and food. The veterinary staff made entry to Bentley’s room (the hot zone) several times each day to ensure his physical and psychological health.

Throughout the quarantine, Bentley, a King Charles Spaniel, learned the daily routine and looked forward to his time engaging with the veterinarians. Playful and well-mannered, Bentley identified his favorite toys and kept them near. He remained pleasant and cooperative when blood samples were taken, making the veterinary medical care process very smooth.

Caring for Bentley while wearing chemical protective suits and PAPRs (Powered Air Purifying Respirators) presented some challenges and adaptations in PPE for the veterinary staff. All activities were planned and double-checked prior to entry into Bentley’s quarters. To ensure the highest degree of safety, several additional measures were applied and a sound standard operating procedure (SOP) was developed regarding entry, management of waste, invasive care procedures, management of samples, and decontamination.

After his 21-day quarantine, Bentley was pronounced Ebola-free and happily reunited with Nina in November.

Thanks to the dedicated staff from Dallas Animal Services and some practical assistance from TEEX and TAMU VET, Bentley’s quarantine was a comprehensive, safe, and functional operation – and, most importantly, there are now procedures in place to manage future events of this nature.

You can read more about Ebola and Pets and Bentley's stay with Drs Zoran and Bissett from TAMU VET's website.

UPDATE: Nina Pham and Bentley visited College Station April 24, 2015 and thanked Dr. Zoran and Dr. Bissett of the TAMU VET team for all of their help in taking care of Bentley and making sure he stayed safe and sound. Video from KBTX Media.

~ By Lori Peace, Hazardous Materials Training Specialist for the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX). Peace also serves as Training Officer for the TX-1 Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) command staff.

The Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) trains hundreds of individuals each year to become heavy equipment operators. Although most are successful, each is exposed to unique operational challenges during field exercises. For some, the coordinated use of equipment controls is the most difficult; others have problems with depth perception.

Regardless of the challenges, very seldom if ever are new operators required to manipulate machinery without the use of both arms. That is, unless you’re McCulloch County heavy equipment operator, Cody Crouch. TEEX was there during a recent training delivery in Brady, Texas, to witness the 29-year-old’s amazing determination and skill. And the only operative word we have for Cody is . . . awesome.

Back when he was 18 years old, Cody was involved in a four-wheeler accident that severed spinal nerves responsible for control and function of his left arm and hand. Although Cody underwent 12-hours of surgery to remove nerves from other areas of his body to repair his damaged arm, the damage was too extensive and the arm could not be repaired. With no other options, Cody was encouraged to remain positive. Maybe someday, new technology would make repairs possible.

In the meantime, Cody moved forward with his life and six years ago he was hired as a motor grader operator by McCulloch County, Precinct 3.

“It was challenging at first, but Cody picked it up pretty fast,” said McCulloch County Commissioner Jim Ross. The motor grader he operates for the county has eight controls and a steering wheel. What most people learn to do with both arms, Cody accomplishes quite well with only one.

During recent proficiency training delivered by Billy Williams of TEEX, Cody was required to demonstrate motor grader proficiency on the Caterpillar^®140M3 motor grader. This piece of equipment has two control joysticks; one used to steer the equipment; the other to control the blade movements. In addition to the Cat^® 140M3, Cody proficiently operates the John Deere^® 670-6 motor grader, as well as loaders, skid steers, dump trucks, and bulldozers.

After completing training, Cody’s supervisor praised him for “having a great attitude and for always going above and beyond the call of duty.” In return, Cody says, “I’m grateful to McCulloch County for giving me the opportunity to work for them.”

Now that’s what we call “Making the Grade.”

Learn more about TEEX Heavy Equipment Training.

By Guy Benson, a member of the Business Development & Marketing Department of TEEX’s Infrastructure and Safety Training Institute.

Did you know that October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month? For the last five years, we've been promoting Stop.Think.Connect.™

Has it worked?

What are some things that you've done differently in your everyday online activities? Do you have different passwords for different sites? Have you uploaded the latest malware protection on your computer? Have you become educated about the ways that cyber thieves can break into your computer and your phone, retrieving information that can hurt you financially? If you haven't done anything or feel like you haven't done enough, Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) has some ideas for you.

How can I keep my online accounts and data protected?

Your best defense is a good offense.

Step 1.

Make your account and passwords STRONG! Pins too. Use alpha numeric and long, strong passwords. An 8 character password with upper, lower, numbers and symbols could take 16 minutes to crack.

For example, you often aren’t limited in length to make a password a sentence that only you can figure out. I like pan au chocolate with strong coffee becomes: Ilik3pan@chocolatew/strongc0ffe. Even if your password can’t be that long you can still use a passphrase to create a strong password. IL6@cwsC0yum is based on the same sentence and used the first letters of the words and substituted number and symbols for letters. At 12 mixed characters it is very strong. I Like 6an @u chocolate with strong Coffee yum.

There are excellent random password generators available if you want to use them and they do produce a truly random password. Apps and sites include:

Dashlane.com/password-generator

Random.org

Lastpass.com/generate password

They all work perfectly well and many will be able to let you tweak the password to meet the parameters of the password you must create. But, they all have one problem; used on their own you still have passwords that are hard to remember, so you might be tempted to write them down. Which you now know is a cardinal mistake. So what to do?

Get a password program or app. What you really need is a password app or program to safely store your passwords. As an added benefit, most good password apps let you organize and file your passwords, the site URL’s with the ability to link directly to the site, random password generators, and much more. Some password safes that reside on your computer or device can be turned on so that they capture your passwords and ID’s and you create them and automatically store them so you can retrieve them later. All you have to remember is the initial “Master Password.” Some of the best rated password keepers for 2015, according to PCMag are:

Dashlane 3

LastPass Premium

Sticky Password Premium

These all have costs that range from $12.00 to $39.99 but, all three have free version that will make password management much easier, even if the free versions don’t have all the bells and whistles of the premium ones have everything you need to get the job done.

Next, get educated about cybersecurity.

Step 2.

TEEX Cybersecurity offers a wide range of online and face-to-face cybersecurity training for everyone from first-time users to experienced IT professionals. And it costs you nothing because it's funded through FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Start with one of our Online for Everyone - Non-Technical (Cyber 101) courses like Information Security for Everyone. It's short and easy and is available 24/7.

Next, visit the Stop.Think.Connect.™ website or contact stopthinkconnect@dhs.gov. They've got valuable tips and information you can use year-round,

Let's stay Cybersecure all year long!

Catherine Gibson is a Training Coordinator for the TEEX Cybersecurity Program. A graduate of Texas A&M University, she has been active in adult education and IT security for 16 years.

NOTE: Currently, the TEEX Cyber Security Facebook Page is running a contest, so enter to win today! It ends on October 31, 2015.

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Cybersecurity: Let's Talk About Passwords.

Your best defense is a good offense.

Step 1.

Next, get educated about cybersecurity.

Step 2.

Let's stay Cybersecure all year long!