Is your school prepared for an emergency?

Across the country, first responders often train for emergency situations. A vehicle crash, weather event, or a house fire are all scenarios that these professionals hope they never see but–thanks to their training–are prepared to tackle if they do.

An increasingly important training scenario for first responders is an active shooter in a heavily populated building, such as a school or church.

In Wabash County, the key to success for this scenario is collaboration.

Earlier this month, Wabash City Schools, in partnership with the Wabash Fire Department, local law enforcement agencies, and the Parkview Health Advanced Medical Simulation Lab, facilitated an active shooter training scenario at Wabash High School.

“We tried to involve anyone who would be a resource in this type of event, as well as anyone who may be able to learn from the experience,” says Andy Oswalt, EMS Director/Assistant Chief of the Wabash Fire Department.

Manikins, live actors, students, and faculty members were evacuated from the building and served as “patients” as first responders searched for the “shooter." First responders trained in the emergent treatment of wounds and associated triage practices.

Using high-fidelity patient simulators, or manikins, supplied by the Parkview Advanced Medical Simulation Lab, responders were able to check each patient’s blood pressure and heart rate, as well as engage in conversation to provide a more realistic encounter. The manikin’s symptoms and actions were adjusted from a control area established away from the scenario, where live camera feeds allowed the simulation team to respond appropriately. 

“Our community agencies are working together to ensure that we’re continuing to train, and we have excited emergency personnel who want to learn and want to train to ensure the safety of our students,” says Sam Hipskind, Resource Officer at Wabash City Schools.

In addition to continuing education, the drill serves as a test to expose areas where agencies may need further training.

“If we can find areas that we can control and do better, then the scene becomes that much less chaotic when it really counts,” Oswalt adds.

“We are training very hard, and everyone wants to make sure they are ready in case something happens,” says Rebecca Jensen, Manager at Parkview Health Advanced Medical Simulation Lab. “We hope it never does, but in the event someone enters our schools or enters a public building, our first responders are going to be able to care for those victims.”