TRAINING COURSES

Safety and Self-Defense Seminar, Ocean City, Maryland, April 13, 2016

Dr. Thomas and Ms. McCutchen provided a continuing education unit course (CEU) in safety and self-defense at the Maryland Recreation and Parks Association's annual training conference. This year's conference, "Navigating the Future," was held in Ocean City, Maryland. One of many educational sessions scheduled, Dr. Thomas' was packed with recreation students and other association members. From the feedback received, the attendees gained useful information about safety and self-defense, received CEU credit, and were entertained. Not a bad day!

Safety and Self-Defense Demonstration, IAMAW, Upper Marlboro, Maryland, February 7, 2014

Dr. Thomas was invited to reprise his safety and self-defense demonstration for the International Association of Machinist and Aerospace Workers during a special lunch session on Friday, February 7. (He previously was a guest at one of the association's recent health fairs.) On this occasion, employees benefitted both from hearing safety tips from Dr. Thomas and from their audience participation in a demonstration of basic self-defense moves. Dr. Thomas looks forward to the opportunity to return with more in-depth training for the association's employees.

Employee Training Session, Scott Management, Inc., Forestville, Maryland, April 16, 2013

Dr. Thomas was a guest speaker at a Scott Management, Inc., employee training session held at Oakcrest Towers Apartments on Tuesday, April 16. He presented scenarios related to employee safety in the workplace, for example, how to handle disgruntled tenants and how to protect themselves if they are physically or verbally assaulted or abused. He showed a few simple self-defense moves and spoke about at what point such actions would be considered excessive. The audience consisted of employees who work in all aspects of managing the day-to-day activities in apartment settings. Many of the employees shared some of their experiences that demonstrate the complexities of dealing with tenants and other members of the public and some of the difficulties they encounter in these varied and sometimes intense and possibly negative interactions. It was stressed by the employees and management alike that every attempt must be made to be respectful and remain calm should untenable situations occur; however, as Dr. Thomas pointed out, individuals need to be able to protect themselves from being harmed, make their escape, and contact the proper authorities should untoward situations develop despite their best efforts.

Self-Defense and Safety Demonstrations, International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) Employee Health Fair, Upper Marlboro, Maryland, October 12, 2011

On Wednesday, October 12, Dr. Thomas gave two self-defense and safety demonstrations to IAMAW employees who attended their company's annual health fair. He showed those who attended the seminars how they might be able to defend themselves in the event of a physical attack and alerted them to other kinds of scams being perpetrated on the unsuspecting. The employees indicated that they would be interested in having him conduct classes on a regular basis at their facility.