Batavia Chamber of Commerce to offer series of safety training programs
(Credit – Kane County Chronicle, August 2019)
BATAVIA – The Batavia Chamber of Commerce and Controlled F.O.R.C.E. are presenting three training workshops on workplace safety issues.
According to a news release from the chamber, all programs will be held at Water Street Studios, 160 S. Water St., Batavia, from 8 – 11 a.m. The interactive courses are taught under the direction of Rob Sarra, deputy director of business development for Controlled F.O.R.C.E., as well as other specialized trainers.
The price for the training is $30 each for chamber members and $40 for non-members. A reduced rate of $80 for chamber members and $110 for non-members is available for registrants of all three classes. Registration is available online at bataviachamber.org/events or by calling 630-879-7134.
The topic of the Aug. 22 program is situational awareness, which will teach participants to be aware of their surroundings and how to manage their reactions during a potentially critical situation, so they can become positive actors instead of bystanders or victims.
The topic for the Oct. 24 program is verbal de-escalation, which will help participants accurately assess potentially violent confrontations and when possible, to defuse them.
The topic for the Jan. 16, 2020 program is “Until Help Arrives,” which will teach participants basic skills to keep people with life-threatening injuries alive until professional help arrives. This is intended for adults with limited or no first aid training.
In the news release, Sarra stated that recent events point to the need for increased diligence by citizens to ensure their own safety, in public places as well as the workplace.
“We are seeing that individuals need to start taking responsibility as to what they can do either prior to, during, or even after an event takes place,” Sarra stated in the release. “People need to understand their own limitations and what they are capable of doing should they encounter a critical incident.”
Margaret Perreault, president and CEO of the Batavia Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the need for this type of workforce training, indicating it may even prevent an incident.
“It is a benefit for businesses to employ a staff that not only is aware of what is going around them, they are trained to act if a potential situation arises,” Perreault stated. “They may be able to diffuse it entirely, or at least know what steps to take.”
All instructors will speak to their personal experiences in the subject matter. Examples of how these skills can be applied to real life situations will be used. Although these trainings are invaluable to anyone, if an area business is looking to send only a representative or two, Sarra has suggestions for them.
“I would send someone on their safety team, an executive with the firm or perhaps someone who arranges training for the company personnel,” he explained in the release. “Not only will they gain valuable training, they will get an idea of what other training makes sense for their business.”
According to the news release, Sarra is also a current law enforcement officer in a part-time capacity and has been a law enforcement officer in Illinois since 2005. He has served as a resource officer at a Lake Park High School and is a Marine Corp veteran.
