Campus News

Decatur, AL- Calhoun Community College is hosting its 13th annual Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) Drill, taking place at 9 AM on Thursday, March 14, 2024, at Kelley Gymnasium on the main campus in Decatur. In partnership with local public safety personnel, this event brings together Calhoun’s academic and training programs in Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Nursing, Surgical Technology, Physical Therapist Assistant, Medical Lab Assistant/Technician, and Dental Assisting. Student participants will respond to an incident and care for patients in a simulated disaster scenario.

“The Mass Casualty Incident Drill provides a platform for students to apply their skills and knowledge in a realistic setting, preparing them for real-world emergencies,” commented Calhoun Dean of Health Sciences, Kenneth Kirkland. “Students are selected to fill various roles such as incident commander, triage officer, transport officer, and charge nurse, allowing them to collaborate and coordinate care effectively.”

Throughout the event, a simulated patient traverses the patient care continuum, starting from the scene of the incident and initial triage to ambulance transport and further care in the college emergency room. Critical patients may undergo simulated air transport via flight crews, and others are transferred to the operating room by Calhoun’s Surgical Technology students.

“I am proud to emphasize the vital importance of hands-on exercises such as the Mass Casualty Incident Drill in preparing our students for the realities they will face in the real world,” commented Calhoun President Dr. Jimmy Hodges. “This annual event not only showcases the dedication and teamwork of our students across various programs but also reinforces the critical skills necessary for effective emergency response and patient care. I commend everyone involved,” added Hodges.

Over the years, the MCI Drill has grown significantly, with over 200 participants involved in this year’s event. Previous simulations have included scenarios like plane crashes, explosions, riots, terrorist attacks, and active shooter situations, each presenting unique challenges that test the students’ abilities to respond under pressure.

One of the recent enhancements to the event includes the use of GoPro footage, providing students with a first-hand perspective of the event from the viewpoints of students in different disciplines. This addition has been well-received by students, offering them insight into the challenges faced by their peers in other roles.

Local experts are present to observe student performance and provide valuable feedback during the debriefing sessions following the event. Their insights contribute to the continuous improvement of the MCI Drill, ensuring that students receive comprehensive training and preparation for their future roles in healthcare and emergency response.

Past participating agencies include:

• Air Evac 15
• Air-Evac 177
• Athens-Limestone EMS
• Calhoun Campus PD
• Cullman EMS
• Decatur-Morgan EMS
• Decatur Fire & Rescue
• Decatur Police Department
• Decatur SWAT
• HEMSI
• Lawrence County EMS
• Survival Flight
• Limestone County Tech School (Public Safety and Health Sciences)