(Cleveland)- Despite the steady rain yesterday the Disaster Drill at Truett McConnell University was implemented. The scenario involved a school bus loaded with students crashing into a truck.
There were multiple injuries and some deaths as part of the drill. This exercise was an opportunity for the nursing students at the university to put into practice what they have learned in the classroom and learn how to provide an immediate response to treating a variety of medical situations. Not only were nursing students involved but the local police, fire, medical and CERT volunteers. White County Public Safety Director David Murphy said there were some concerns about the weather, but “ in reality, most of these type situations occur it don’t matter if it’s sunny, sunshine, rain, snow, ice or high winds whatever, they occur at all times so it’s good to exercise under these conditions.”
Local officials assisted the nursing students as they carried injured victims to onside triage stations. TMU spokesperson Jenny Gregory said despite the rain the operation went well, she said “ the victims have been doing an excellent job playing their part the nurses are staying on track and doing all the protocol that they have learned in classes.”
TMU nursing student Mallorie Keel said the exercise was valuable in giving students hands-on training for a real disaster. “We were not told what the event was, but I knew we would be prepared because of our training,” Keel said. “I was excited going into the drill because we got to put all we have learned to the test. My job was to care for the green triaged victims. I stopped bleeding, stabilized impairments, and assessed for further needs. I also helped EMS.”
Grace Dinn, who played the role of a nurse in the yellow (delayed) zone said, “I was able to experience how first responders and medical personnel work together to save the greatest number of people with a limited amount of resources. Everyone did an amazing job working together with clear communication, critical thinking, and staying calm in order to meet every need on that field.”
Leigh Ammons, TMU’s Assistant Professor of Nursing, came up with the idea for the simulation, which has been planned for many months.
She said, “We are extremely proud of how they handled themselves prioritizing patient care and remaining calm in a stressful situation.”
The drill was part of Disaster Preparedness Week on the campus.
