Project Spotlight: Disaster Training Exercise

By Lacey Miller, Regional Public Health Preparedness Coordinator

The North Central Kansas Technical College (NCK Tech) Nursing Program hosted NCK Tech Disaster Day on April 29, 2021, providing a realistic emergency response training exercise that strengthened leadership skills and collaboration among emergency response partners across North Central Kansas.

The NCK Tech Nursing Program hosted NCK Tech Disaster Day in Beloit on April 29, 2021. The event provided an opportunity for leadership growth and training in North Central Kansas. The North Central Kansas Rural Development Initiative, administered by the NCRPC, provided funding for videography services to document the event. (Photo courtesy of Chandra Feldman, Marketing Director, NCK Tech.)

Preparing for Real-World Emergencies

The exercise simulated an explosion at the North Central Kansas Technical College Welding Department. Organized by the NCK Tech Nursing Department, the event brought together numerous agencies and volunteers to create a realistic disaster response scenario.

Volunteer moulage artists created lifelike injuries for simulated victims, including:

• Third-degree burns

• Impaled objects

• Compound clavicle fractures

The realistic scenarios challenged students to respond under pressure while practicing emergency medical care and leadership.

Community Partners Working Together

The success of Disaster Day was made possible through the collaboration of numerous local and regional partners.

Participants included:

• Mitchell County Hospital Health Systems staff

• Life Star Air Ambulance

• Beloit Fire Department

• Mitchell County EMS

• Mitchell County Emergency Management

• Salina Regional Health Center Preparedness Coordinator

• City of Beloit

• Mitchell County Sheriff's Department

• Mitchell County Health Department

• Lincoln County Emergency Preparedness Coordinator

• North Central Kansas Regional Public Health Coordinator

Eberle Studios professionally filmed the exercise to create a training resource for future emergency preparedness efforts.

Supporting Training Through the NCK Rural Development Initiative

A grant from the North Central Kansas Rural Development Initiative helped fund videography services for the event.

The initiative is managed by the North Central Regional Planning Commission (NCRPC) and its affiliate, the North Central Kansas Community Network Co. (NCKCN).

"This exercise offered an excellent opportunity for leadership growth and training in the North Central region," said NCRPC Executive Director Emily Benedick. "We recognized the value of this event and in having a professional videographer document it to help promote future emergency preparedness and disaster management training efforts throughout North Central Kansas."

Building Leadership Skills

According to NCK Tech Nursing Instructor Samantha Miller, the exercise challenged students to think critically, communicate effectively, and lead under pressure.

"During the training, our students were pushed beyond their comfort zones and forced to critically think and communicate in a high-stress environment to ensure their patients received the best possible care," Miller said.

Students received only a brief overview before the exercise began and were expected to make decisions independently as the scenario unfolded.

"Prior to the start of the event, the students received a quick briefing but otherwise were left to take the initiative and make decisions from a leadership perspective," Miller said. "It was amazing to watch them step up and execute a successful drill. Members from our graduating class have already provided feedback on how this experience has helped them in their current practice only months after graduation."

To view the Disaster Day video or learn more about the North Central Kansas Rural Development Initiative, visit the NCRPC website.