San Jacinto College recently held an Emergency Management Services (EMS) Field Day to provide EMS students with an opportunity to coordinate response to emergencies and practice treatment/transport of patients.

This event integrates all EMT-Basic, EMT-Advanced and Paramedic classes for a day of “hands-on learning” by providing interactive learning stations, field demonstrations and simulated emergencies. This is also an opportunity for the program to invite students’ families and friends to participate as simulated patients while also giving them an opportunity to learn about EMS.

During the fall 2017 Field Day, 60 students, 15 faculty members and more than 25 volunteers/visitors assisted with simulation stations that included a multi-vehicle accident, pediatric breathing difficulty, traumatic injuries, geriatric medical emergencies and a simulated active shooter scene with multiple casualties. Faculty used costume make-up to “moulage” volunteers so that they would appear injured or ill, and the volunteers were assessed, treated and transported to mock hospitals by the students who were split into simulated EMS crews. Field demonstrations were provided by Sheldon Fire Department, PHI Air Medical Co. and the United States Coast Guard.

“The demonstrations gave the students and visitors an opportunity to see the equipment up close and ask questions,” said Sylvia Gallegos, San Jacinto College EMS program director. “Field Day is an excellent opportunity at the end of each semester for faculty to assist students and bring it all together so they get an idea of how things happen in the field. It is an eye opening experience for both students and visitors alike.”