Elizabeth City, N.C. — Elizabeth City State University's (ECSU) Emergency Management students set up shelter in record time during a power outage affecting several dorms and other buildings on campus.
According to the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), a lot can happen with teamwork and 40 minutes.
The shelter, located at the K.E. White Graduate Center, held approximately 200 beds provided by the Red Cross with other emergency essentials. Students sprang into action, putting the skills they'd gained from intentional training in the emergency management program.
After a transformer providing electricity to the Central Utility Plant (CUP) experienced a failure earlier this week, many students were left without air conditioning and hot water. The plant provides cooling and domestic hot water to multiple facilities on campus.
Charli Brooks, student CERT logistics chief, and others led a team of volunteers who answered the call for help at a moment's notice. Smiles and the "Viking pride" emblem after setup were evidence of the pride they took in the work of their hands.
"This is what our CERT does in many different ways. They help their communities and bring fun with them," said Kevin Kupietz, chair and assistant professor for ECSU's emergency management department.
Also on-site was the institution's Division of Student Affairs with more relief solutions including a "Beat the Heat" social. Students had access to snacks, and transportation was available for those residing in Viking Village and Bias Hall. Study spaces were also available in K. E. White and the G. R. Little Library.
"I say it all the time: we have the best students," said Kupietz.
For more information about the emergency management efforts of ECSU or to be part of the CERT, visit ECSU’s Emergency Management.