CGTC hosts fifth annual mass casualty training, nursing student reflects on role

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WARNER ROBINS — Central Georgia Technical College hosted its fifth annual mass casualty training over the weekend. Agencies countywide gathered to prepare for an event of this magnitude in our backyard.

Jessica Willcox, a director of nursing, said the training was originally for CGTC Health Science students, but has since evolved to include first responders.

The training sessions on Saturday were the culmination of an entire week of training, at no cost to those participating.

Willcox said communication surrounding an event like this could be seen as overlooked.

“Communication is important as healthcare providers by creating that collaboration to equal better patient outcomes, especially in a scenario like this,” she said. “On the public safety side, they’re learning to communicate and work together.”

One of CGTC’s main goals is to benefit the students in the healthcare and medical fields by partnering with real doctors from the Trinity School of Medicine. Willcox said another goal is to support the community and give them a chance to participate.

“If our law enforcement, fire, EMS and first responders are trained, I feel a little bit safer coming to work in Warner Robins and Houston County,” she said.

The exercise had 400 participants last year and about the same number this year.

Willcox hopes the overall community will feel safer knowing that our first responders and medical personnel are equipped to handle mass casualties.

“You have people that are going to respond, and you have people that care about what they do and where they’re going to take care of your kids or spouse, and that you have strong medical and healthcare practitioners that are waiting to take care of you,” she said.

Edward Ingram, a nursing student, worked in triage during the training. This year was more focused on the victims and prepared future nurses to think on their feet.

Ingram said clinical judgment skills and patient assessment skills are good for a mass casualty.