Southeast Harlan Campus Hosts Mock Disaster Simulation to Prepare Nursing Students for Emergency Response

Published on Apr 13, 2026

Sirens, smoke, and coordinated response efforts filled Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College’s Harlan Campus as students, faculty and community partners participated in a large-scale mock disaster simulation.

The capstone exercise placed graduating nursing students in the middle of a simulated mass casualty incident involving a chemical fire and explosion inside the campus HVAC electrical shop. Within minutes, the situation escalated and required rapid triage, critical decision-making, and coordinated care across multiple agencies.

“This type of hands-on experience is invaluable,” said Tammy Redmond, SKCTC Nursing Program Administrator . “It allows our students to apply what they have learned in a setting that reflects the urgency and complexity of real-world healthcare.”

Students were challenged to assess and treat a range of injuries, including burns, smoke inhalation, trauma, and chemical exposure. Working under pressure, they practiced triage protocols, airway management, hemorrhage control, and emergency communication.

The simulation was made possible through collaboration with local emergency response partners, including:

• Harlan ARH Emergency Department
• Harlan Fire Department
• Air Evac
• Kentucky State Police
• Harlan County Sheriff’s Department

Each agency played a defined role in the exercise, from fire suppression and hazard control to patient transport and emergency department operations. Their participation ensured the scenario reflected real-world coordination and response efforts.

“This was more than a training exercise. It was an opportunity to work together and prepare for real emergencies,” said Redmond.

The simulation also included realistic elements such as victim role-play, emotional scenarios, and unexpected complications, including a secondary explosion and communication challenges. These elements required students to think critically, adapt quickly, and remain composed under pressure.

Following the exercise, participants completed a structured debrief to evaluate performance, review decision-making, and identify areas for improvement. At Southeast, experiential learning is a cornerstone of healthcare education. Through partnerships with community agencies and immersive training opportunities, the college is preparing students to enter the workforce with confidence and the ability to respond when it matters most.