Locked Down: Ocala Campus Tests Students' Emergency Response Skills

News Beat

Thursday, Aug. 28 started off like any other day at Rasmussen College’s Ocala campus, except it wasn’t just any other day. Later that day, an armed robber would flee the scene at a gas station near the campus, causing a deadly car crash. The gunman would make his way into the campus—leading to a lockdown. The SWAT Team and dispatch center would be involved, and there would be casualties and a hostage situation. There would also be students learning more than they ever could’ve imagined.Luckily … this elaborate situation was only a staged scenario that took place on campus that day. How the mock scenario came to be Chris Wichelman, program coordinator at the campus, had been working closely for months with Lonnie Blackburn, Marion County Fire and Rescue captain, to provide a multi-car crash mock scenario for Ocala campus medical assistant and criminal justice students. Never in her wildest dreams did she think they would be able to pull off such an intricate mock scenario. “I originally went to [Lonnie] with a car accident idea and it escalated from there,” Wichelman said. There were seven community agencies involved in the activities from the day: Marion County Fire and Rescue performed extrication, medical treatment and transport. Ocala Fire and Rescue performed medical treatment and triage for all victims involved. Marion County Sheriff’s Office dispatched their SWAT team. Ocala Police Department performed scene control, investigation and perimeter control. Marion County Communications Center dispatched all units. Marion County Emergency Management provided the command trailer and signs. ShandsCair provided the air flight for the trauma alert patient. “The goal of the training was to provide progressive training for all fire/EMS and police departments in Marion County, as well as peak interest in students attending Rasmussen College criminal justice and medical programs,” Wichelman said. Ocala medical assistant student Christina ...

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