Students learn from simulated emergency

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Students at Purdue University were given a taste of a real-time emergency simulation with the help of local police, fire and emergency management crews.

For Purdue Fire Chief Kevin Ply emergency situations are all part of a day's work. For students in the Purdue Industrial Hygiene Student Association, a group that equips students in health fields to ensure safety in the workplace, a simulated emergency situation gave them a chance to learn a thing or two from the fire chief.
 

"We're able to provide them with some guidance, able to re-direct them when they get off course, and offering advice so they make the right decisions," said Ply.

Organizers concocted a complex situation involving an explosion and chemical spill at an imaginary University resembling Purdue. Facilitators then offered help where they could while students strived to react to the situation. Nursing student Janine Reinhart said the guidance of experienced professionals during the emergency simulation helped to bring a sense of reality and urgency to the situation.

"I think that was instrumental in making this whole thing work, because as students we have limited experience in the field, and so knowing who we could ask our questions to, and get that information from people who lived through the situation," said Reinhart.

"We want to know as health and safety professionals, how we would work with the individuals who are doing the on-site clean-up, on site response," said PIHSA member Beauregard Middaugh.

Organizer and Director of Medical lab sciences, David Tate, said the simulated situation helps round out Purdue students' education.

"The real impact of Purdue's educational response is to provide them not only with an academic setting, but how do you apply this in the real world," said Tate.