Are Ontario’s hospitals and first responders prepared for a large-scale disaster that could disrupt a city, and overwhelm the healthcare system? On February 22, a realistic simulation exercise at Morningside Campus tested the ability of emergency response and healthcare workers to deal with a fictional threat to city resources.
This was the first in-person exercise organized by the School of Community and Health Studies since before the pandemic lockdowns. The 2023 Mock Disaster consisted of three seamless 60-minute modules that focus on first-response and recovery operations.
In the simulation, initial response followed a train derailment hauling hazardous material. The resultant explosion and fire caused an urban and wilderness wildfire during a heat-dome event in the summer months. Evacuation of parts of the urban, rural and Indigenous communities followed, along with a few surprise events designed to complicate matters for police, fire, paramedics and other personnel.
The simulation was led by Rita Morehouse, Chair, Emergency Management and Public Safety Institute (EMPSI) and Dr. Laurie Mazurik of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, as well as Centennial College faculty from various programs. Participants included Toronto Police, Fire and EMS representatives, who coached Centennial students through the various scenarios, as well as volunteer physicians, nurses, respiratory technologists, pharmacists and social work staff from local hospitals.
“After nearly six months of planning and hard work by the dedicated members of the Mock Disaster planning team, the day had finally arrived. Although this was only a simulation, it was clear to see that from the time the first 911 call was received, to the end of the exercise, everyone came together and did what they do best: save lives, treat the wounded and assist the victims and families affected by such tragic events,” noted Rita Morehouse.
More than 500 students role-played during the exercise, working in professional roles or acting as victims. Students from Centennial’s paramedic, police foundations, pre-service fire, BScN nursing, practical nursing, pharmacy technician, personal support worker, developmental services and social service worker programs, along with volunteer students from Seneca College 911 Dispatcher/Call taker program, worked alongside healthcare professionals in this realistic simulation.
“I am extremely proud of how the day commenced, progressed and concluded,” Rita added. “Every nook and cranny of the campus was a hive of activity, and I saw everyone working hand in hand, student and professionals, in what was an example of true experiential learning for our students and what I can only describe as the epitome of an interprofessional exercise.”
Invited guests and observers of the exercise included representatives from Emergency Management Ontario and the Office of Emergency Management of the City of Toronto, as well as Team Rubicon, Mackenzie Health, the University of Toronto and representatives from Emond Publishing.
Have a look at our short YouTube video of our Centennial students in action!