To: Caledonian-Record, Burlington Free Press, TV News 7, The Critic
Subject:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELESAE
May 4, 2010
The disaster drill is an annual event organized by the college. This year there were several agencies and a number of classes from the college involved with the drill. The classes that attended were being taught by Professors Dan Williams and Peggy Sherrer. These classes covered how to respond to disasters in human services, as journalists, and public relations professionals. This drill was the capstone for these classes offering students experience in a simulated disaster. The agencies from outside the college that were present included Calex Ambulance, Lyndon Rescue, American Red Cross and Home Land Security. There were also agencies that were involved in an advisory role but were not on scene [in a real disaster they would have stepped in]. These agencies include Vermont Department of Health, the Vermont State Police,
The purpose of this drill is to give students, staff, rescue organizations and the college administration an opportunity to practice their emergency action plan skills in real life scenarios. There were students working on the public relations end, reporting on the event and the impact on the public. This exercise is a good way to prepare the college community to respond to mass casualties and other emergency situations. This is also an excellent opportunity for local rescue agencies to practice their skills and for meeting state requirements for training and education. For more information contact:
Susan C. Gallagher
802-626-6400
Susan.Gallagher@lyndonstate.edu