North Olmsted High School students Michelle Piazza, Jessica Dancik and Jessica Gorey transport 'victim' Amber Wick during a disaster drill Sunday Westfield Great Northern Mall.

Students make every moment count in disaster training
By Jeff Gallatin
North Olmsted
Published May 24, 2006

When disaster strikes, seconds count and every person trained in emergency response could play a vital role in saving lives.

With that in mind, members of the North Olmsted City Fire Department teamed up with 50 students from the North Olmsted High School SITES (Social Involvement Through Educational Service) program Sunday by the Westfield Great Northern Mall. The firefighters and students took part in a disaster drill which simulated what could happen if a tornado hit the mall area. The students had been training for several weeks with the firefighters in various aspects of dealing with a disaster such as CPR, first aid, triage for injured and other areas of safety work. A group of high school seniors formed the Safety Corps to utilize the training they received while juniors took on the role of accident victims.

North Olmsted High School students Ron Cerny, Shao Lo, Marc Shannon and Pete Taylor prepare a volunteer victim for transport during a disaster drill Sunday at Westfield Great Northern Mall. (Photos by Larry Bennet)

Fire Department Lt. Ken Hehnen, who helped train the students, said they were apt pupils.

“They picked things up very quickly and would be a big help if a real disaster hit the area,” Hehnen said. “They took their training seriously and learned a number of skills which would be a big help in an emergency situation.”

Hehnen said the students assisted the firefighters in areas such as stretcher bearing, first aid, communication and dealing with a wide range of potential problems.

Fire Chief Tom Klecan said the student’s training in different areas would be a big help in a disaster.

“If a tornado hit the area, we’d have to react to a lot of problems - both expected and unexpected - fast,” Klecan said. “The students’ ability to help in a number of situations would help us deal with the different problems in a better manner.”

Klecan said the students’ training focuses on placing them in a support role to the safety forces.

“We would deliberately not place them in a hazardous situation by themselves,” Klecan said. “Part of the training was so we could have additional safety teams, such as sending out one or two firefighters with two or three students. With firefighters and students together, we can develop more teams. They also would be a major help in recovery situations and when we’re getting the areas put back together.”

Hehnen said that student training could even be crucial in certain situations.

“What if a tornado or tornadoes came through town and hit one or both of the fire stations and knocked us out of action for a time?” Hehnen asked. “Those students could be the first response group trying to help injured people until we got other safety workers in here. They could make the difference for some people with what they’ve learned.”

Chris Pierce, co-coordinator of the SITES program for the schools, said the experience was good for the students.

“It was a great way for the students to put into practice what they have been learning from the firefighters,” Pierce said. “They’ve spent a lot of time with them learning CPR and other safety procedures they should use in an emergency. They responded very well during the drill to what they were asked to do.”

Pierce said although it’s unlikely that the students would have to take the lead in safety treatment during a disaster, she said they still could play a prominent role.

“You might have a situation where a disaster hit all over the area or region and the safety forces in each town might be dealing with problems in their own areas,” Pierce said. “If that’s the case, the students could deal with the problems they’ve trained for, which would help the safety workers out and allow them to deal with other situations.”

Pierce said the program received a national Learning and Service grant for the program.

“We’re one of six schools in the Ohio area to do this,” she said. “We’ve put the grant into training, education and drills.”

She said the students had already utilized some of their skills in previous training sessions, such as in the school gymnasium.

“They did well in the other drills, and this one at the mall was the big test or culmination of the training,” Pierce said. “The seniors were excited to be taking part and have done a good job in all the areas.The juniors were asking at the drill when they can sign up for the Safety Corps and take part in it next year.”

North Olmsted High School Principal Paul Sink was not surprised the students performed well or were selected for the grant and training.

“Our SITES students have performed well in a number of activities,” Sink said. “The students and teachers involved in the program have made it a nationally recognized program for good reason.”

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