Emergency Response Training Drill Set for July 12 at SGTC
AMERICUS, GA — 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 5:00 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 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 students will continue to treat the victims.
“This drill is a huge collaborative effort,” said Nigel Poole, Sumter County Emergency Management (EMA) 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 EMA, 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, EMS services from the counties of Dougherty, Webster, 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.
South Georgia Technical College 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.
About South Georgia Technical College
South Georgia Technical College, located in Americus, Georgia, is a nationally ranked two-year unit of the Technical College System of Georgia. SGTC offers over 200 associate of applied science, diploma, and short term certificate of credit training opportunities centered around workforce development education. SGTC is one of only two technical colleges in Georgia with on-campus housing and offers students the “complete college experience” with nationally ranked academics, athletics, and student clubs and organizations opportunities. SGTC was founded in 1948 and has a satellite campus in Crisp County with adult education sites in Sumter, Crisp, Schley, Macon, Marion, Webster and Taylor counties.
For more information about South Georgia Technical College, visit www.southgatech.edu.
About Georgia Southwestern State University
Georgia Southwestern State University, located in Americus, Ga., is a public, four-year unit of the University System of Georgia with more than 3,000 students. Georgia Southwestern offers outstanding professional programs of study as well as degrees in the arts, humanities, sciences and graduate programs in business, computer science, education, English, and nursing. Founded in 1906, Georgia Southwestern is recognized as one of the best value colleges in the South.
For more information about Georgia Southwestern State University, visit www.gsw.edu.
Representatives from participating agencies are shown together after a planning meeting for the upcoming emergency response training drill.