Louisiana Emergency Response Network

07/30/2026

🌟 LERN in Action! 🌟 Vence Beches and Madelynn Spann represented LERN at the LA Safe Schools Conference in Lake Charles!

Over the two-day event, they connected with school resource officers, educators, and administrators from across the state, sharing hands-only CPR and hemorrhage control training to help keep schools ready for emergencies. They also spent time talking with attendees about the many ways to support their school's emergency preparedness needs — because every second counts when it matters most.

Thank you to everyone at the conference for the great conversations and for the work you do to keep our students and staff safe! 💙

07/29/2026

🔥 Louisiana Heat Alert 🔥 As a heat dome settles over much of Louisiana, temperatures are expected to climb well into the 90s, with heat index values making it feel even hotter. Prolonged exposure to extreme heat can increase the risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Take extra precautions to protect yourself and those around you:

💧 Drink plenty of water.
☀️ Limit outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day (10 a.m.–4 p.m.).
🧢 Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing and sunscreen.
❄️ Take frequent breaks in air-conditioned or shaded areas.
🚗 Never leave children or pets in a parked vehicle, even for a few minutes.

Heat Indices will climb between 110 and 115 degrees next week.

07/29/2026

💡 Education Spotlight: Stroke awareness and Stop the Bleed 💡 Deborah Spann and Donice Fletcher with LERN joined Louisiana Tech University NursesFast program students for an introduction to LERN and to teach Stroke awareness and Stop the Bleed. Thank you to all the students who showed up ready to lead, learn, and serve! 💙 💪

Louisiana Tech University’s Nursing Freshman Advanced Summer Term (NursesFAST) program is supported through the Louisiana Department of Health’s Health Care Employment Reinvestment Opportunity (H.E.R.O.) Fund

NursesFAST is a summer bridge program for incoming nursing majors, designed to address the challenge of starting anatomy and physiology I and lab in the freshman year. Modeled after the College of Engineering and Science’s Freshman Enrichment Program, it brings together 24 incoming nursing students from across Louisiana to:

➡️ Complete anatomy and physiology I and lab in a condensed summer format.
➡️ Live on campus and receive faculty and peer mentoring.
➡️ Participate in weekly networking with nurses and healthcare leaders from across north Louisiana

07/28/2026

✨ Spotted! ✨ Donice Fletcher with LERN, taught Stop the Bleed to AHEC [Area Health Education Centers] students at Citizens Medical Center. Advanced EMS also stopped by so students could check out the ambulance, and paramedics were on hand to answer questions. 🚑 ❤️

teaches three quick actions anyone can do to to stop or slow life threatening bleeding which can save lives. Life-threatening emergencies can happen anytime, anywhere. And knowing how to help in those situations can save a life.

07/27/2026

❤️ Heart Health Tip ❤️ Immediate CPR and the use of an AED can significantly increase a person’s chance of survival during cardiac arrest. We encourage everyone to take the time to learn CPR, become familiar with AED locations in their community, and help build a safer, more prepared community for all.

🎶 Bruno Mars' hit song "Just Might" help you save a life! It has the right tempo for Hands-Only CPR. 🎶

American Heart Association | American Heart Association - Louisiana

07/25/2026

🛟 Today is World Drowning Prevention Day (July 25) 🛟 a global day of awareness recognized by the United Nations and the World Health Organization to spotlight the urgent need for drowning prevention actions. The WHO has outlined six evidence-based actions that anyone can take to save lives. Check out this infographic from the YMCA Baton Rouge newsletter highlighting the six evidence-based actions.

Learn more and healp spread awareness:
➡️ https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-drowning-prevention-day

07/20/2026

🔥 ❤️ Make sure you’re staying safe and cool with these quick tips to beat the heat for a heart-healthy summer: ❤️ 🔥

☀️ Plan for indoor activities during the hottest time of the day.
🥗 Remember to add proteins, fresh fruit, and vegetables to your grill menu.
💧 Drink plenty of water.
🛟 Practice safe swim procedures.

American Heart Association | American Heart Association - Louisiana

07/15/2026

📣 Upcoming Pediatric EMS Symposium! 📣 Join Ochsner Children's for a valuable learning opportunity that will help you build and refine essential pediatric emergency care skills.

📆 Thursday, October 8 - Friday, October 9
⏰ 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM [Each day]
📍 1401-A Jefferson Hwy., Jefferson, LA 70121

🔗 Register here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C044BABA62EAAF8C43-63536384-pediatric #/

07/08/2026

✨ Spotted: MCI Response Workshop ✨ Vence Beches, with LERN, facilitated a Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) Response workshop at the Lincoln Parish Public Safety Complex. The workshop brought together members of the community to evaluate and enhance response capabilities in the event of an active shooter MCI. By working collaboratively, we can ensure the most effective response possible and minimize harm to the most amount of patients.

Attendees came from Jackson, Lincoln, Madison, Ouachita, Franklin parishes. A huge thank you to all the participants who made this workshop such a success. THANK YOU! 👏 👏 👏

07/07/2026

💡 Spotlight: RTTDC Session 💡 LERN partnered with the University Medical Center New Orleans Trauma team to teach the Rural Trauma Team Development Course (RTTDC) at St. Charles Parish Hospital! 👏 👏 👏

Thank you to everyone who participated and to our partners for helping strengthen trauma care in our community. Together, we're building stronger, more prepared teams ready to respond when it matters most. 💪

The RTTDC™ is specifically designed to improve trauma care in rural communities by promoting a timely, organized, and systematic team response to injured patients. It emphasizes a collaborative, team-based approach and focuses on practical strategies for managing early trauma care effectively.