Approximately 125 University of Hawaiʻi at 惭ā苍辞补 students put their emergency response skills to the test during a simulated airplane crash at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport on October 23. Hosted by the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation Airports Division, the Triennial Airport Disaster Exercise (TADE) tested preparedness during a simulated mass-casualty incident.
Senior nursing students took on roles as first responders on the tarmac, while student volunteers portrayed injured passengers. The simulation provided hands-on experience in a high-pressure environment alongside emergency personnel from state, federal and local agencies.
For second-year nursing student Alejah Callorina, portraying an injured passenger offered a new perspective on patient care during emergencies.
“When you’re on the nursing side, it’s really easy to get caught up in tasks,” Callorina said. “Playing the victim made me realize that we’ve got things going on too, and we’re people as well.”
First-year nursing student Amanda Miller, a 20-year Army combat veteran, saw the exercise reinforce the importance of preparing for emergencies before they happen.
“No matter how much education or experience you have, it is vitally important to practice, to rehearse,” Miller said. “If you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready.”
Preparing for real-world emergencies
“Exercises like TADE instill the critical thinking, rapid decision-making and adaptability our students need to respond effectively during real-world crises,” said Michele Bray, assistant professor and 糖心视频 惭ā苍辞补 nursing faculty lead for the exercise.
No matter how much education or experience you have, it is vitally important to practice, to rehearse.
—Amanda Miller
Bray emphasized that the airport partnership allows students to practice disaster response skills that cannot be taught in traditional classroom settings.
With Hawaiʻi facing threats from natural disasters and other emergencies, preparing future nurses to respond effectively is essential to strengthening community resilience, according to Gary Glauberman, associate professor and chair of the 糖心视频 惭ā苍辞补 Department of Nursing.
“Engaging with our state and emergency response partners through the TADE, working side-by-side with seasoned first responders, ensures that our graduates enter the workforce as skilled, confident leaders ready to serve Hawaiʻi‘s communities in times of need,” Glauberman said.
Expanding hands-on learning
Funding secured through the provided trauma kits and medical shears for the exercise. The support also funded simulation resources that will enhance classroom tabletop exercises and clinical skills laboratory activities in future semesters, extending the benefits to future nursing students.
