Mass Casualty Drill Enables Students to Respond to Realistic Emergency

Philip Pilletere ’26 scanned the screen of his laptop, reviewing intelligence about a mass casualty incident. The situation was changing quickly, and new information came through the walkie talkie he held in his hand. He was surrounded by hard copies of information, including a photo of a wanted suspect that he and his fellow investigators were searching for.

Pilletere’s fellow investigators were his classmates, and the “crime scene” was on campus. It was all part of an elaborate drill they were taking part in that was designed to give them hands-on experience investigating and processing a mass casualty incident.

An intelligence analysis major, Pilletere was reviewing information such as satellite imagery as he worked with his classmates to figure out what happened and to catch those who were responsible for the mock crime. He enjoyed the opportunity to collaborate with students he might not otherwise have had the chance to learn with or from.

“It was great to work with different majors on this drill,” he said. “They are all very smart, wonderful to work with, and very prepared. It gave me insight into their majors, and we don’t always get that in the classroom.”

‘The chance to do everything’

The drill brought students of diverse majors, from forensic science and criminal justice to paramedicine and national security, together for a very realistic and immersive experience. They responded to what looked like a real emergency outside of the University’s German Club, treating patients, processing evidence, and gathering information.

Alison Perry ’24 stood near the wrecked cars that had been brought to campus for the drill as her fellow fire science majors investigated the accident scene. Students managed a vehicle extrication and a hazmat situation in a controlled environment. Perry says the experience was “very practical and realistic,” and she was excited she and her classmates had the opportunity to learn and grow together.

“The experience ties up what we learned and puts it all together,” said Perry, president of the University’s Fire Science Club. “It gives us the chance to do everything. Especially for students without volunteer experience, it gives them the opportunity to see what a career in firefighting entails. It’s managing accident scenes, working with EMS, responding to car crashes.”

‘Our education is so experiential’

Designed to offer students exciting real-world experience, the drill is held on campus every spring. The Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences and the University’s American Criminal Justice Association (ACJA) chapter collaborated with the University’s Police Department as well as the University’s Fire Marshal’s Office to make sure the event offered Chargers a safe and meaningful experience outside of the classroom.

Olivia Hall ’25, ACJA president and a criminal justice major, served as the event’s “master of disaster,” of sorts. She helped to organize the criminal justice component of the drill, something she actively helped to plan for months. Though she’s attended the drill in the past, she was excited to help create a unique learning experience for her fellow Chargers.

“Working with different clubs and with students in different fields was a great opportunity to communicate,” she said. “Our education is so experiential, and I have learned so much that I can now apply.”

‘Great real-life experience’

The drill was designed to offer students of diverse majors the chance to apply what they’ve learned through their coursework. As part of the simulation, students investigated a scenario involving a chemical attack at a wastewater plant, searching for several armed suspects who were wanted for robbery. They also searched for a climate change extremist who left the state while also investigating a crash at a convention center at which a political candidate was speaking.

The various scenarios and scenes offered students the chance to apply their own skills while learning about the responsibilities of their classmates in other fields. Lauren Ward ’24 and her fellow forensic science majors collaborated to process the crash scene, analyzing the paint and glass and swabbing for DNA.

“Drills such as this push us outside of our comfort zone,” she said. “It’s great real-life experience.”