Jackson State University will be the site for an Advanced Disaster Life Support Mass Casualty Scenario Drill on Friday, Oct. 9, from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. The event will have more than 100 participants taking part in a mock disaster drill at the College of Science, Engineering and Technology building on the main campus.
Dr. Dorothy Browne, dean of the Jackson State University School of Public Health, said, “Exercises like this one are a critical part of preparing health care professionals, public safety officials and others to work collaboratively and to respond quickly and effectively in a disaster. We know that proper training translates into saved lives.”
The drill is the final day of a three-day training course with professionals from fire protection services, law enforcement, disaster management, emergency medical services, public health, medical/nursing staff from local hospitals, volunteers and other interested persons from throughout Mississippi.
The mass casualty drill scenario is a component of the core curriculum of the Advanced Disaster Life Support training course provided by the University of Mississippi Medical Center via funding from the Mississippi Office of Homeland Security through the Central Mississippi Metropolitan Medical Response System (CMMRS).
The event is staged by the Mississippi Center for Emergency Services at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. It will focus on response training for an actual disaster that would trigger a sudden influx of patients, media, concerned community members and the “worried well” to a hospital.
The full scale mass-casualty drill is being conducted in collaboration with multiple agencies. Partners include Jackson State University, the University of Mississippi Medical Center, the Mississippi State Department of Health, Mississippi Hospital Association, Northwest Rankin Middle School and the Mississippi National Guard 47th Civil Support Team.
Tents, public safety vehicles, drill participants with mock injuries and special effects such as smoke and explosive sounds, and may be observed by motorists and pedestrians in the area. Members of the public are asked not to be alarmed if they see drill equipment and participants around the Jackson State University campus on Oct. 9.
Dr. Russell Bennett, interim associate dean, JSU School of Public Health, is a key organizer for this event. For more information, please call 601-979-8806.