Our Activities

USC-CPHP INSTITUTE
Multidisciplinary teams from each public health region in South Carolina and neighboring counties in border states participate in the Academy to plan, conduct and evaluate a major project that significantly enhances preparedness in their community.

COASTAL PREPAREDNESS TABLETOP DISCUSSION
An annual workshop conducted in Charleston, SC, focuses on emergency preparedness in the port.  Stakeholders from appropriate jurisdictions, agencies and disciplines convene for two days to collaborate on responding to a scenario intended to identify and address public health, safety and communication issues.

DEAN'S FACULTY SCHOLARS PROGRAM
Faculty in the Arnold School of Public Health are encouraged to apply for financial support to infuse emergency preparedness modules into their existing public health courses. This program serves as an incentive to increase awareness and teaching capacity related to public health emergency preparedness and response.

ETHICS AND PUBLIC HEALTH IN AN AGE OF TERRORISM COURSE  & CURRICULUM (pdf)
A three-hour graduate-level seminar course is offered within the Arnold School of Public Health to introduce students to the ethical considerations involved in responding to bioterrorism and public health emergencies.  The 13-module curriculum will soon be made available to other schools of public health.

HAM RADIOS
Amateur radio operators, or "HAMs" are often the only source of communication during emergencies when traditional systems go down or become overwhelmed. The USC-CPHP works closely with the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services (RACES) and the SC Hospital Association to advocate for HAM radio coverage for hospitals across the state, and to train and license new operators.

LUNCH & LEARNS
A free luncheon seminar series is open to all students, faculty and staff who may be interested in learning more about emergency preparedness issues.  Past programs have included discussions of Avian Influenza, the Emergency Health Powers Act, the Laboratory Response Network, the Palmetto Poison Control Center and Coastal Preparedness, among others.

PSYCHOSOCIAL TEAMS TRAINING
Community-based psychosocial teams comprised of professionals from the mental health and social work fields across the state are being organized, assessed and trained according to their needs.  Training includes how to respond to disasters and how to maintain cohesive team leadership and functioning.

SCHOOL PREPAREDNESS

Team-based emergency preparedness trainings for school personnel will be offered starting in 2007. An assessment of schools' training needs is currently being conducted, and key partners are being identified for inclusion in a planning taskforce for school emergency preparedness training.

STUDENT APPLIED RESEARCH PROGRAM AND OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

Starting in the fall of 2006, the USC-CPHP will be offering applied research opportunities for doctoral-level students in public health, psychology or social work who are interested in conducting their dissertations on topics or projects in which the USC-CPHP is involved. Master's-level students interested in doing their residency, practicum or internship within the Center are also encouraged to contact us for opportunities.