• News
    • Research News
    • Faculty News
    • Alumni News
    • Student News
    • STEM News
  • Events
    • Spring 2018 Commencement
  • Publications
    • A&M Magazine
  • Media
    • Videos
      • Videos
      • FAMU Taught Me Series
      • Discover FAMU Series
    • Social Media
    • Student Media
    • Experts Guide
  • Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • Request Forms
    • Advertising Rate Sheet
  • FAMU.edu
  • Follow us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Youtube
    • Instagram
    • RSS
FAMU Forward
FAMU Forward

Tallahassee, Florida

January 31st, 2023
  • News
    • Research News
      FAMU-FSU College of Engineering Researchers Receive NSF, DoD Grants for Advanced Research Equipment 

      FAMU-FSU College of Engineering Researchers Receive NSF, DoD Grants for Advanced Research Equipment 

      FAMU Professor Awarded National Science Foundation Excellence in Research Grant

      FAMU Professor Awarded National Science Foundation Excellence in Research Grant

      FAMU’s Medical Marijuana Education and Research Initiative Announces Pensacola Community Forum

      FAMU’s Medical Marijuana Education and Research Initiative Announces Pensacola Community Forum

      FAMU College of Pharmacy Prints 3D Cornea Using Human Cells 

      FAMU College of Pharmacy Prints 3D Cornea Using Human Cells 

    • Faculty News
      FAMU & NBFJA Announce the Launch of the Lola Hampton-Frank Pinder Agroecology Center

      FAMU & NBFJA Announce the Launch of the Lola Hampton-Frank Pinder Agroecology Center

      FAMU Professor Named to Capitol Hill Ocean Week Advisory Committee 

      FAMU Professor Named to Capitol Hill Ocean Week Advisory Committee 

      FAMU CoPPS, IPH Receives $700K Grant to Increase Awareness and Participation of Minorities in COVID-19 Variant Clinical Research Trials

      FAMU CoPPS, IPH Receives $700K Grant to Increase Awareness and Participation of Minorities in COVID-19 Variant Clinical Research Trials

      FAMU Professor Secures $3.5M to Support Wellness of Florida’s First Responders

      FAMU Professor Secures $3.5M to Support Wellness of Florida’s First Responders

    • Alumni News
      <strong>FAMU Announces W. Rebecca Brown As CFO/VP Finance and Administration </strong>

      FAMU Announces W. Rebecca Brown As CFO/VP Finance and Administration 

      <strong>Tallahassee Pastor Inspires FAMU MLK Convocation Audience</strong>

      Tallahassee Pastor Inspires FAMU MLK Convocation Audience

       FAMU Physics Ph.D. Graduate Performs Research in Support of the Lawrence Livermore National Ignition Facility 

       FAMU Physics Ph.D. Graduate Performs Research in Support of the Lawrence Livermore National Ignition Facility 

      FAMU Stalwarts Eddie Jackson and Michael Smith Honored at Florida Classic Night of Distinction

      FAMU Stalwarts Eddie Jackson and Michael Smith Honored at Florida Classic Night of Distinction

    • Student News
      FAMU Announces 2022-2023 David E. and Mary J. Pollard Scholarship Recipient

      FAMU Announces 2022-2023 David E. and Mary J. Pollard Scholarship Recipient

      Three FAMU Students Earn U.S. State Department Gilman International Scholarships

      Three FAMU Students Earn U.S. State Department Gilman International Scholarships

      <strong>Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer Invites FAMU College of Law Graduates To Stay Around and Shape the Community</strong>

      Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer Invites FAMU College of Law Graduates To Stay Around and Shape the Community

      FAMU Becomes First HBCU to Pilot Google Ad's Shape Co-Lab

      FAMU Becomes First HBCU to Pilot Google Ad's Shape Co-Lab

    • STEM News
      FAMU-FSU College of Engineering Researchers Receive NSF, DoD Grants for Advanced Research Equipment 

      FAMU-FSU College of Engineering Researchers Receive NSF, DoD Grants for Advanced Research Equipment 

      Keysight Technologies Extends Commitment to FAMU-FSU College of Engineering

      Keysight Technologies Extends Commitment to FAMU-FSU College of Engineering

      FAMU-FSU COE Researchers Find New Microwave Technique That Makes Fertilizer More Efficient, Environmentally Friendly

      FAMU-FSU COE Researchers Find New Microwave Technique That Makes Fertilizer More Efficient, Environmentally Friendly

      FAMU Physics Professor Awarded $350,000 National Science Foundation Grant

      FAMU Physics Professor Awarded $350,000 National Science Foundation Grant

  • Events
    • Spring 2018 Commencement
  • Publications
    • A&M Magazine
  • Media
    • Videos
      • Videos
      • FAMU Taught Me Series
      • Discover FAMU Series
    • Social Media
    • Student Media
    • Experts Guide
  • Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • Request Forms
    • Advertising Rate Sheet
  • FAMU.edu
  • Follow us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Youtube
    • Instagram
    • RSS
Home
News

FAMU Professor Accompanies Tallahassee First Responders to South Florida Building Collapse Site

July 1st, 2021 Andrew Skerritt News
FAMU Professor Accompanies Tallahassee First Responders to South Florida Building Collapse Site

Kellie O’Dare will address mental health issues faced by members of the Tallahassee Fire Department USAR Task Force 7 at the Surfside site.

Florida A&M University (FAMU) Institute of Public Health (IPH) faculty member Kellie O’Dare, Ph.D., traveled to South Florida this week with Tallahassee first responders who are part of the search and rescue efforts at the Champlain Towers South collapse in Miami.

The men and women from the Tallahassee Fire Department USAR Task Force 7 are among the Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams from across the state who have deployed and are currently searching for survivors in the Surfside collapse site. 

Kellie O’Dare with first responders.

Cynthia Harris, Ph.D., associate dean for public health and director of the Institute of Public Health, said O’Dare is contributing to the “dire need for addressing the mental health stressors that adversely impact our first responders.”  

“She answered the local state, national and international public health call to immediately respond to the needs of firefighters in the wake of this tragedy,” Harris added.

O’Dare, founder and director of the 2nd Alarm Project, has been deployed to the scene of the building collapse in Miami to help support the wellness needs of first responders both before, during, and after the deployment.

“Disaster response deployments require a high level of mental and physical effort from emergency service professionals,” said O’Dare, an IPH assistant professor in health and policy management. “The physical, social, and psychological demands of disaster response work can become overwhelming, and without mitigation, contribute to longer term behavioral health and substance use issues.” 

Founded in 2019, the 2nd Alarm Project is a multi-faceted, evidence-based outreach and intervention approach to address the behavioral health and substance use needs of first responders in the Florida Panhandle. The project originated out of a request from Tallahassee Fire Chief Jerome Gaines for assistance to address the mental health needs of fire fighters and other first responders, in the wake Hurricane Michael and other major events. 

“The science demonstrates that the mental health needs of first responders look a little different if they are going to be effective,” said O’Dare, who approaches the issue from the perspective of a trained social worker who grew up in a family of fire fighters and is married to a fire fighter. 

The 2nd Alarm Project is funded primarily through a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services. O’Dare will oversee and provide direct support to USAR Task Force 7 members and support peer team members on scene from Task Force 7. 

O’Dare will also provide support to the International Association of Fire Fighters peer support team working 24/7 on site to provide peer-based services and resources to first responders. 

As part of the deployment, O’Dare will work with the State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Florida Firefighters Safety & Health Collaborative on a state plan for psychological first aid of first responders both during the deployment and upon demobilization of the USAR teams. 

“Seeing suffering and devastation of a disaster, along with repeated exposure to grievously injured and deceased persons, as well as recovering human remains, can increase feelings of cynicism and hopelessness among responders,” O’Dare said. “The mental wellness and resiliency of our first responders has become a priority and recognizing the need for psychological education, access to competent resources, and follow up to those members exposed to these potentially traumatic events.”  

Peer support among disaster responders can improve mission readiness and preserve the force during deployment, as well as mitigate longer term consequences of disaster response work, including PTSD and other mental health concerns, O’Dare explained.

“Peer support is a vital component of mitigating issues among first responders,” she said.

Facebook Twitter Google+ LinkedIn Pinterest
Previous article FAMU Offers Local Nonprofits Paddyfote Furniture
Next article An Inside Look at FAMU’s Vet Tech Program, Key to Increase in Graduates
Related Posts
<strong>FAMU Hosts Regional Robotics Tournament on Saturday</strong>

FAMU Hosts Regional Robotics Tournament on Saturday

January 31st, 2023
<strong>FAMU Recruiters Attract Hundreds of Students at LA Black College Expo</strong>

FAMU Recruiters Attract Hundreds of Students at LA Black College Expo

January 31st, 2023
FAMU President, Students, Staff Tour Kinsey Collection at SoFi Stadium

FAMU President, Students, Staff Tour Kinsey Collection at SoFi Stadium

January 30th, 2023
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Enter your email address to subscribe and receive notifications of new posts by the FAMU Office of Communications.


Timeline
Jan 31st 5:17 PM
News

FAMU Hosts Regional Robotics Tournament on Saturday

Jan 31st 4:08 PM
News

FAMU Recruiters Attract Hundreds of Students at LA Black College Expo

Jan 30th 6:02 PM
Alumni Spotlight

FAMU President, Students, Staff Tour Kinsey Collection at SoFi Stadium

Jan 26th 9:35 PM
News

FAMU Career & Internship Expo Attracts Over 1,000 Students 

Jan 26th 2:39 PM
News

Florida Board of Governors Confirms FAMU President Robinson’s Contract Extension

Follow Us!
Tweets by @FAMU_1887
RSS FAMU Sports News
  • FAMU Track & Field Return to Gainesville for Celebration Pointe Indoor Classic
  • Florida A&M wins rebound battle in 69-58 victory against Alabama State
  • Florida A&M fall 77-68 to Alabama State
  • Rattlers drop pair of matches versus Sun Belt schools
  • Rattlers look to bounce back Monday night versus Alabama State on HBCU Go
A&M Magazine Digital Stories
FAMU Videos

FAMU Spring 2023 All Majors Career & Internship Expo

FAMU ANNUAL HARAMBEE FESTIVAL 2023 Commercial

Upcoming Events

There are no upcoming events.

View Calendar
Add
  • Add to Timely Calendar
  • Add to Google
  • Add to Outlook
  • Add to Apple Calendar
  • Add to other calendar
  • Export to XML
Calendar
July 2021
S M T W T F S
 123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728293031
« Jun   Aug »
Archives
Subscribe to Our Newsletter!

Enter your email address to subscribe to our news site and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Follow Us!
Got a Story?

We love hearing from our alumni.  Let us know what you’ve been up to since you left the hill! Contact us here today!

© Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University 2019. All rights reserved.
Powered by the FAMU Office of Communications