Emergency response training drill set for July 12 at SGTC

Published 12:46 pm Saturday, July 7, 2018

Students, local emergency agencies participate in joint effort
AMERICUS — South Georgia Technical College (SGTC) and Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) will be the sites for a multi-layered emergency response training drill on Thursday, July 12.
The simulated event will provide realistic training and hands-on experience for SGTC EMT students, GSW nursing students, and all local law enforcement and first response organizations involved. The drill will also serve to test all lines of communication for any areas of improvement.
The drill will commence at SGTC main campus in Americus at approximately 5 p.m. Bystanders on the SGTC campus can expect to see a heavy first-responder presence as well as hear sirens, possible simulated gunfire, screeching tires and a helicopter. The scene will be assessed by law enforcement and made safe for students to triage mock victims with moulage injuries ranging from minor cuts to multiple fatalities.
The mock victims, played by GSW nursing students, will be transported by dozens of ambulances and a helicopter to GSW’s nursing building (the upstairs replicates a hospital floor and can serve as a trauma center) and Phoebe Sumter Medical Center (PSMC) where the students will continue to treat the victims.
“This drill is a huge collaborative effort,” said Nigel Poole, Sumter County Emergency Management director. “Each agency and organization involved, as well as the citizens from all participating nearby counties, will benefit in the event of a real-life emergency situation.”
Agencies involved include Sumter County Emergency Management, Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, Sumter County Fire & Rescue, Americus Police Department, Americus Fire & Emergency Services, Middle Flint Regional E/911, Georgia Department of Public Health, SGTC EMT students, SGTC Campus Safety, GSW nursing students, GSW Public Safety, PSMC, Air Evac, GoldStar Ambulance, EMS services from the counties of Dougherty, Webster, Stewart, Crisp, and Terrell, and other local agencies.
The idea for the multi-unit drill originally came from Brad Harnum, SGTC EMT Instructor. “I really wanted the advanced level EMT students who are graduating in August to experience a realistic emergency and be able to think outside of the box before entering the workforce,” Harnum said.
As per the Georgia Emergency Management Agency’s requirements, each agency is required to participate in at least two drills per year to maintain accreditation certifications. Each participating agency will be assessed based on their own criteria to evaluate their response to the situation. All participating local agencies and organizations will meet following the drill to evaluate the response and discuss where improvement can be made.
SGTC will be limiting access to the campus during the actual drill, but classes will be held during their regularly scheduled times. Law enforcement officers will be posted at each entrance and exit area to ensure individuals on campus are aware of the drill in progress. Radio announcements will be made before and during the exercise to keep the public informed.
For additional information regarding the drill, contact Nigel Poole at npoole@sumtercountyga.us.