NATCHITOCHES – Approximately 100 Northwestern State University nursing and radiography students participated in a disaster preparedness exercise at Alexandria International Airport on Nov. 5, portraying victims of a simulated aircraft collision and gaining firsthand experience with mass-casualty response procedures.
The exercise was part of the airport’s federally required triennial emergency preparedness drill. The drill brought together airport personnel, first responders, health care professionals and other community partners to test emergency response procedures, communication and coordination during a simulated disaster.
Students from NSU’s Cenla campus participated in a simulated collision involving an aircraft and a smaller commuter plane. Students portrayed injured passengers with simulated injuries identified on individual role cards, giving emergency personnel an opportunity to practice assessing, prioritizing and treating patients during a large-scale emergency.
The exercise also provided opportunities for students to observe triage procedures, emergency medical care and the coordination required among first responders and health care organizations during a mass-casualty incident.
Dr. Kari Cook, associate professor and director of NSU’s Bachelor of Applied Science in Allied Health program, said the experience offered students an opportunity to develop compassion and prepare for emergency situations.
“Hopefully today what they’re going to learn out of this is compassion for the patient and become better caregivers,” Cook said. “They’ll learn a little bit about emergency preparedness to be better prepared when an actual emergency does happen.”
Donald Nolen, a senior radiography major from Pitkin, said experiencing the exercise from the patient’s perspective would influence how he approaches patient care.
“I think it will make me be more compassionate to the patients,” Nolen said. “It’s just a different world to see it from being in the hospital to the patient side of it.”
Genevieve Wilson, a fourth-level student in NSU’s associate degree in nursing program from Natchitoches, said the exercise provided insight into how emergency personnel respond to unexpected situations and coordinate care.
“I think it’ll give us a good insight on how to respond to the casualties and how to work in the organizations to follow the chain of command,” Wilson said.
Dr. Donald Johnston, associate professor in NSU’s College of Nursing and School of Allied Health, said the exercise helped students better understand the responsibilities of firefighters, paramedics and other professionals involved in emergency response.
“You learn to respect other professions,” Johnston said. “I think it makes a better hospital practitioner because you are dealing with a whole bunch of professions that you don’t get to play around with.”
The exercise allowed participating agencies to evaluate emergency response procedures, strengthen communication among organizations and identify potential gaps in resources or personnel needed during an actual disaster.
For more information about NSU’s College of Nursing and School of Allied Health, visit nursing.nsula.edu.