The cold and blustery weather didn't stop the inaugural Western Dakota Tech SIM Rally that was held today in the southeast parking lot of the Rushmore Campus on Sedivy Lane.
The rally incorporated the following programs: Fire Science, Law Enforcement, Paramedic, and Medical. Students responded to a mass casualty scene in real-world time as first-responders.
The simulation featured a 2-car collision and bystander victims. The scene included a supposedly intoxicated driver, multiple mannequin deaths, an engine fire, and a Jaws of Life extraction. Law Enforcement were first on scene, followed by fire trucks and then ambulances.
"Simulation is invaluable for students to practice real-world skills in a safe environment," Western Dakota Tech Simulation Center Director Lloyd McNett said. "The ability to review outcomes and assess performance maximizes the learning potential at each one of these events."
Each program met after the event for debriefing. The debriefing included assessment of student performance and learning outcomes and discussion about how to improve future simulations.
While simulation is a core ability of Western Dakota Tech, this is the first simulation event that incorporated so many departments. Cross-departmental collaboration is essential in providing the best possible first response care to victims. The SIM Rally taught students the skills needed to work quickly and cohesively with first-responders from a variety of backgrounds.
Students in each program practiced classroom-specific skills while cooperating with the other departments. Fire Science students put out the engine fire and used the jaws of life to give Paramedic students access to a trapped victim. Law Enforcement students managed traffic and surveyed the scene while collecting evidence to assist prosecutors who would later charge the suspected drunk driver. Paramedic students navigated the many people on scene to triage victims and prioritize care.
All roles had post-event learning opportunities. Western Dakota Tech Nursing Director Sonja Love acted as a receiving ER nurse to record patient reports from the Paramedic students and give feedback. The report from the Law Enforcement program will be submitted to the States Attorney who will provide feedback and recommendations. The Rapid City Fire Department with critique student performance and make suggestions for improvement.
Real-world connections helped students apply skills from the simulation to situations they might face on the job.
Western Dakota Tech Fire Science Instructor, Tom Smith, says emulating real-world scenarios is a core strategy of simulation. In real-world first-response scenarios there are almost always multiple departments involved, and there's certainly no control over the weather.
"Some people wanted to post postpone the event because of the weather today," Smith said. "But how often are you able to postpone a car accident in the real world?"
The Rapid City Fire Department participated in the event with fire trucks, ambulances, and on-scene coaches. The Hill City Ambulance Service also provided an ambulance and driver.
For more information about Western Dakota Tech programs or the Western Dakota Tech Medical Simulation Center, visit http://www.wdt.edu/.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cjzh781ATRw&feature=youtu.be
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