Mock Plane Crash Gives Valuable Experience to First Responders in Training
By: Kellie Bartoli
Updated: July 13, 2012
Several agencies and students got some hands-on learning on Thursday - but they were far from a classroom.
The Terre Haute International Airport was transformed to a scene no one wants to see.
But thanks to the Rural Health Innovation Collaborative Simulation Center, we can all say it was just a test.
It's a scene right out of a movie...
"Most people can't even fathom this situation unit you get into it," said Jack Jaeger, director of the Rural Health Innovation Collaborative Simulation Center.
Hulman Field was transformed, becoming the scene of a mock mass casualty crisis.
Dozed of actors, looking bloody and wounded, were sprawled out from a plane crash, awaiting relief from real-life paramedic students.
"It would be a lot less real if we did this in a confined space. Having it here where it's in the airport, it's in the hangar, it's out in the field, it makes it much more realistic," Jaeger.
The victims are moved from the crash site to this emergency triage center, where their injuries are assessed and treated."
"Really teaching the students a wonderful lesson," said Heather Anderson, a professor in the Department of Baccalaureate Nursing at Indiana State University. "They're in a safe environment that they can make mistakes and learn from their mistakes."
The simulated crash site and ER taught important lesson to first- responders in training, from getting victims away from immediate danger, remaining calm amongst the chaos, and taking care of the most critical.
"This is their first time doing something this and having the opportunity to see it for the first time, this might get them more involved in mass casualties situations with the Red Cross or Homeland Security," said Jaeger.
And while the scene was an intense experience, getting that practice today could mean all the difference tomorrow.
"Even if they feel like their skills are inadequate right now they come out feeling like they've learned something. And that's really our goal is for them to learn how to triage in a real disaster situation," said Anderson.
Ivy Tech's paramedic program, ISU's nursing students, Homeland Security and the Air National Guard all took part in today's disaster drill.
The Terre Haute International Airport was transformed to a scene no one wants to see.
But thanks to the Rural Health Innovation Collaborative Simulation Center, we can all say it was just a test.
It's a scene right out of a movie...
"Most people can't even fathom this situation unit you get into it," said Jack Jaeger, director of the Rural Health Innovation Collaborative Simulation Center.
Hulman Field was transformed, becoming the scene of a mock mass casualty crisis.
Dozed of actors, looking bloody and wounded, were sprawled out from a plane crash, awaiting relief from real-life paramedic students.
"It would be a lot less real if we did this in a confined space. Having it here where it's in the airport, it's in the hangar, it's out in the field, it makes it much more realistic," Jaeger.
The victims are moved from the crash site to this emergency triage center, where their injuries are assessed and treated."
"Really teaching the students a wonderful lesson," said Heather Anderson, a professor in the Department of Baccalaureate Nursing at Indiana State University. "They're in a safe environment that they can make mistakes and learn from their mistakes."
The simulated crash site and ER taught important lesson to first- responders in training, from getting victims away from immediate danger, remaining calm amongst the chaos, and taking care of the most critical.
"This is their first time doing something this and having the opportunity to see it for the first time, this might get them more involved in mass casualties situations with the Red Cross or Homeland Security," said Jaeger.
And while the scene was an intense experience, getting that practice today could mean all the difference tomorrow.
"Even if they feel like their skills are inadequate right now they come out feeling like they've learned something. And that's really our goal is for them to learn how to triage in a real disaster situation," said Anderson.
Ivy Tech's paramedic program, ISU's nursing students, Homeland Security and the Air National Guard all took part in today's disaster drill.
