As part of a full-scale emergency scenario drill, Bexley Hall will be filled with smoke on Tuesday, Aug. 5, at 6 p.m. The drill is conducted by the Office of Campus Safety in conjunction with the College Township Fire Department.
The drill is meant to help firefighters and safety and telecommunication officers earn their Emergency Medical Responder certification. Bob Hooper, director of Campus Safety, said his department will be fully trained in EMR by November.
In addition to the fire scenario, the training will rope in volunteers to play the role of people with injuries, physical disabilities, and trauma as a result of the fire. Officers will monitor victims at stations set up around Bexley.
Though it’s only a drill, Hooper stressed the importance of taking the training seriously, noting that in a real-world scenario, smoke could be deadly.
“I preach pretty hard: Don’t become another victim,” Hooper said. “This is just helping people to become more knowledgeable and helping us to manage those larger scenes.”
He added, “That’s why we train, so we’re more prepared.”