Van Buren Tech in Lawrence will be a hive of activity Tuesday as students in several of its career and technical education programs take part in the center’s annual mock disaster drill.
Van Buren Tech spokesperson Mikenzie Chambers tells us students studying everything from law enforcement to culinary arts to cosmetology will take part as a disaster is staged. The rub is that no one knows just what the disaster will be. Chambers says that helps students know to be ready for anything.
“This is a simulation that brings together the students from various programs and it gives them a training scenario that puts their efforts to the real test,” Chambers said.
The disaster will be excellent training for students in the police, fire, and EMT programs. Chambers says the community gets involved in these annual drills with local businesses donating to make it all possible.
“There are actors and things the people from the industry that come beforehand, they’ll actually be here around 8 a.m., 30minutes before the actual disaster starts because they get the briefing on what their position and role will be in in that disaster.”
Chambers says in past years, they’ve simulated a bus crash and an explosion. The only way to find out what this year’s disaster will be is to show up and see.
“I hope a lot of people want to come out and experience it because it’s really exciting and our students really take it seriously,” Chambers said.
The drill will be open to the public to view.
There will actually be two sessions. The first starts at 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The second will run from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. That way, there’s plenty of space for all students to take part helping to respond to the emergency.
Anyone who wants to watch can just go to the tech center. Chambers says it shouldn’t be hard to see where the action is.
