Emergency Response for Workers: Trained for What Comes Next
On May 26, TREEO hosted its first delivery of a brand-new customized training: Emergency Response for Workers. The half-day session was developed in direct response to a request from UF/IFAS, who identified a gap in preparedness for their extension agents and came to TREEO to help fill it.
The result was a morning that brought together three organizations, covered everything from hazard identification to hands-on PPE practice, and set the foundation for what is already planned to be a statewide expansion.
Who Was in the Room
IFAS extension agents are a unique audience. They’re not first responders in the traditional sense — but in the days after a storm, they’re often among the first trusted faces showing up to help farmers, families, and agricultural communities assess damage and start recovering. Training them is training a multiplier.
The May 26 session was designed specifically for that role, and the expertise in the room reflected the full scope of what post-storm response actually involves:
- TREEO provided the safety and PPE framework — the core of the training and Cindy’s area of expertise.
- FlaWARN (Florida Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network) presented on water and wastewater emergency response — what happens to infrastructure during a storm and what community responders need to know about it.
- The American Red Cross brought the broader recovery perspective — resources available, how the response ecosystem fits together, and how extension agents can connect the people they serve to the right support.
“The American Red Cross truly cannot deliver its humanitarian mission without the dedication of volunteers and the generosity of donors. Strong partnerships help ensure a more effective, efficient, and compassionate response for those affected. Building relationships prior to disasters striking is an important aspect of preparedness.” – Amanda Martin, Community Disaster Program Manager, American Red Cross North Central Florida Chapter
What the Training Covered
The curriculum was built around a practical question: what does an extension agent need to know and have on the day after a storm? The session covered:
- Post-storm hazard identification — downed powerlines, mold, contaminated water, and debris, and what makes each one dangerous in a recovery context
- How to categorize and prioritize hazards when time and resources are limited
- PPE selection and use — what to wear, when, and how to use it correctly in post-storm conditions
- Pre-storm preparation — what to have in place before a storm so response is faster and safer after
- A hands-on demonstration where participants practiced the concepts rather than just heard them
“This course emphasized the importance of identifying and assessing hazards following a storm, applying appropriate safety practices to reduce risks, prioritizing recovery actions based on the highest safety and operational needs, and maintaining clear communication across teams to support an effective response.
Effective disaster response depends on strong coordination across agencies and organizations. This training reinforced how much safer and more efficient recovery efforts can be when preparedness, communication, and collaboration happen before emergencies occur.” – Cindy Mercado, Program Manager, TREEO Center
This Training Can Come to You
The Emergency Response for Workers course was developed as a customized training — built around a specific workforce, their specific environment, and the specific hazards they’re likely to face. That’s exactly the model TREEO brings to every contract course.
If your organization has a workforce that operates before, during, or after a storm — in utilities, public agencies, corporate operations, field services, or anywhere in between — this type of training can be built for you. Same depth, same multi-partner approach, tailored to the work your people actually do.
Explore TREEO’s Safety & Health training programs at treeo.ufl.edu — or contact Melissa Hamilton directly to talk through what a customized course could look like for your team.