BY KARISSA MILLER
At first, it sounded like the real thing.
The sound of sirens cut through the air as fire trucks and ambulances rolled out of the bay after a wreck with injuries was dispatched over the radio during a mock exercise Friday on the campus of Career Academy and Technical School.
Students enrolled in public safety courses responded to the chaotic crash scene that unfolded at the Troutman school. The exercise was carefully staged to give the students a hands-on experience.
“This is as real as we can make it,” said CATS Fire Chief instructor Mike Coffey. “They’re enhancing the skills they’ve already been taught and finally getting to use them under real-life circumstances.”
The scenario centered on a motor vehicle collision involving a tree, forcing students from the fire and EMT academies to work together to secure the scene, stabilize the driver and execute an extrication.
EMT instructor Tobi Nicholson said the goal of the simulation is to push students beyond theory.
“They jumped in and started doing what they were supposed to do,” Nicholson said. “They recognized what was wrong, handled life threats and worked with fire to get patients ready for transport. I’m very proud of them.”
Personnel from Troutman Fire Rescue, the Troutman Police Department and N.C. State Highway Patrol participated.
Coffey said that collaboration is critical to the exercise’s success.
“In a real situation, fire and EMS are both dispatched,” he said. “Depending on location, law enforcement may be first on scene. We wanted to simulate that overlap — because that’s how it happens every day.”
Nicholson agreed.
“You have to work together and communicate with each other,” she told students.
CATS Fire student David Hall was tasked with cutting the door and hood off the vehicle to help with the extraction.
“We removed the door to get to the driver. The driver was injured and needed to be treated,” Hall explained.
The exercise taught him to think and act quickly.
“Earlier, we had some trouble with our tools and had to move to Plan B,” Hall explained.
First responder student Dani Workman said he stayed calm by visualizing getting the patient out of the vehicle safely.
“This is about as real as it…it took me a second to get into a groove, but once we established priorities we worked alongside each other,” Workman explained.
CATS students and staff who watched the scene unfold noted the professional response of the students.
“We want to give our students real-life experience. Hands-on learning helps them not only understand their roles, but prepares them for their careers. These kids gained important life skills from this drill. I’m so proud of how they conducted themselves,” said Principal Larry Rogers.
Both instructors emphasized that the deeper purpose is equipping students with the knowledge and experience to save lives.
“You can’t replace experience,” Coffey said. “But this gives them a foundation and helps them decide if this is the path they want to take.”
Nicholson agreed, adding that the program offers students a direct pipeline into the workforce.
“If they earn certification, they can go straight to work,” she said. “They ride along, complete clinical hours — it’s intense, but it prepares them.”
Photos
