The Piedmont College R.H. Daniel School of Nursing & Health Sciences along with area emergency agencies will hold a disaster drill 10 a.m., March 27 at the college in Demorest.
Assistant Professor Karen Greilich said the drill will include about 100 junior nursing students from the Demorest and Athens campuses who will play the role of victims. About 100 senior nursing majors will be called on to respond. The drill will involve a simulated fire at the Swanson Center for the Performing Arts.
Piedmont Police Chief Jim Andrews says agencies involved in the annual drill include the City of Demorest Police and Fire departments, Habersham County Medical Center and EMS, Habersham County Fire Department, Sheriff’s Office, 911/Emergency Management Agency, the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, Homeland Security, Habersham Search and Rescue and the District Two Public Health Administration. A helicopter, drones and rescue dogs will participate in this year’s drill.
Greilich says theatre students will assist with realistic makeup and pyrotechnics for the drill, and communications students will simulate a press response. In all, more than 400 students and volunteers will participate in the drill, and more than 100 are expected to spectate.
“We want to make it a very realistic event so that it will be beneficial for all of the agencies involved,” she says. “Each year, our campus community and area emergency response personnel come together to create this incredible real-world learning experience for our students.”
Those wishing to view the drill may do so from a grassy knoll area adjacent to the Arrendale Amphitheater, which is located on College Drive and is adjacent to the Swanson Center. Public parking and road access near the center and amphitheater will be restricted. Those wishing to view the drill should park near the Mize Center or in the core campus area.
