2023 Disaster Drill

Yesterday we conducted our annual community-wide disaster drill. This year’s exercise simulated a bomb threat and explosion. Since 2002, the University has coordinated disaster drills to facilitate a test of its emergency notification system and processes, allow practice for emergency communications protocol for administrators and measure the timeliness of community first responders. The University cooperates with area emergency personnel including Searcy Fire Department, Northstar EMS ambulance service, Searcy Police Department, Unity Health and White County Office of Emergency management. Previously staged events include simulations of an earthquake, hazardous waste, explosion, fire and active shooter.
Faculty from Carr College of Nursing and College of Pharmacy, as well as the physician assistant and counseling programs, coordinated student participation in the event. Health sciences students acted as medical staff on the scene to triage students acting as victims and utilized specific injury scenarios.