The mass casualty drill at Piedmont University in Demorest, GA, was held Wednesday, April 24, for training purposes because of the importance of preparation should an occurrence actually happen.
Around 9:30 a.m. gunshots could be heard from the Sewell Center for Teachers on Piedmont University’s campus. Teams of students, numerous agencies from two counties, community Emergency Medical Services, SWAT Teams, and the press all worked together to simulate as realistic a situation as possible.
Piedmont nursing student Rebekah Jennings said, “Today was a very real experience. I was a victim in this scenario with a gunshot wound to the leg and was hyperventilating from shock.”
Jennings described being frightened at times hearing the gunshots, the SWAT Team arriving, and experiencing the police busting through barricaded doors. She said it was also a tremendous learning experience for her. “I think this drill is a very important part of being prepared for events like this should it happen in our community.”
The use of an AirLife Helicopter which landed on the grounds at the university, gave much-needed training to students about the proper procedures and how to navigate securing patients on gurneys. Dummies were used for this exercise.
Police officers and Fire and Rescue officers quickly took hold of the situation and were able to evacuate students as well as equip medical personnel in triage and aid.
This type of exercise is an assessment to test the skills and knowledge of First Responders as well as give valuable training to those who are in the university environment.
Marlene Seeber, Junior Class Representative for the Nursing Class of 2025, learned a great deal from the mass casualty training. “It gave us a look into ‘what ifs’ and how best to prevent and prepare. I am so grateful that Piedmont University gave us this unique opportunity to practice our clinical skills in a real-life disaster scenario.”
