Recently, two different universities completed simulations of emergencies and mass disasters for the purposes of demonstrating readiness and training first responders, according to releases from both schools.
Beginning with MIT, an exercise was performed featuring participation by MIT Police, Emergency Management, and first responders, including simulated gunfire, with the intention of allowing for thorough evaluation of MIT’s emergency protocols. This exercise was performed in conjunction with a campus-wide test of the MIT Alert system, including the receipt of feedback.
Comparatively, Texas A&M recently took part in the largest student-led disaster response simulations in the United States, called Disaster Day. Simulating the effects of an earthquake, the exercise involved members of the colleges of nursing, medicine, pharmacy, and public health, while also including involvement by psychology and veterinary students. The Corps of Cadets also participated, with the exercise using Disaster City, a 52-acre mock city used for training emergency responders. Said Greg Hartman, interim senior vice president of Texas A&M Health, “When disaster strikes, incredible coordination between groups and people is required by working under intense pressure to care for those in need. Disaster Day simulates this level of coordination — from planning through execution — to better prepare our students.”
Source:
https://today.tamu.edu/2020/02/14/mass-disaster-simulation-prepares-students-for-the-worst/
