NATCHITOCHES – Approximately 100 Northwestern State University nursing and radiography students participated in a disaster preparedness exercise at Alexandria International Airport on Nov. 5, portraying victims of a simulated aircraft collision and gaining firsthand experience with mass-casualty response procedures.

The exercise was part of the airport’s federally required triennial emergency preparedness drill. The drill brought together airport personnel, first responders, health care professionals and other community partners to test emergency response procedures, communication and coordination during a simulated disaster.

Students from NSU’s Cenla campus participated in a simulated collision involving an aircraft and a smaller commuter plane. Students portrayed injured passengers with simulated injuries identified on individual role cards, giving emergency personnel an opportunity to practice assessing, prioritizing and treating patients during a large-scale emergency.

The exercise also provided opportunities for students to observe triage procedures, emergency medical care and the coordination required among first responders and health care organizations during a mass-casualty incident.

Dr. Kari Cook, associate professor and director of NSU’s Bachelor of Applied Science in Allied Health program, said the experience offered students an opportunity to develop compassion and prepare for emergency situations.

“Hopefully today what they’re going to learn out of this is compassion for the patient and become better caregivers,” Cook said. “They’ll learn a little bit about emergency preparedness to be better prepared when an actual emergency does happen.”

Donald Nolen, a senior radiography major from Pitkin, said experiencing the exercise from the patient’s perspective would influence how he approaches patient care.

“I think it will make me be more compassionate to the patients,” Nolen said. “It’s just a different world to see it from being in the hospital to the patient side of it.”

Genevieve Wilson, a fourth-level student in NSU’s associate degree in nursing program from Natchitoches, said the exercise provided insight into how emergency personnel respond to unexpected situations and coordinate care.

“I think it’ll give us a good insight on how to respond to the casualties and how to work in the organizations to follow the chain of command,” Wilson said.

Dr. Donald Johnston, associate professor in NSU’s College of Nursing and School of Allied Health, said the exercise helped students better understand the responsibilities of firefighters, paramedics and other professionals involved in emergency response.

“You learn to respect other professions,” Johnston said. “I think it makes a better hospital practitioner because you are dealing with a whole bunch of professions that you don’t get to play around with.”

The exercise allowed participating agencies to evaluate emergency response procedures, strengthen communication among organizations and identify potential gaps in resources or personnel needed during an actual disaster.

For more information about NSU’s College of Nursing and School of Allied Health, visit nursing.nsula.edu.

Airport disaster drill:

Annie Broadway, a Northwestern State University radiography student, portrays an injured passenger as firefighters respond during a simulated mass-casualty emergency at Alexandria International Airport Nov. 5.

NATCHITOCHES – The U.S. Declaration of Independence was read aloud in nine languages Nov. 1 as Northwestern State University students, faculty and guests from many countries celebrated the document’s 250th anniversary.

The event, “Works of Our Common Kindred: An International Freedoms Celebration,” was hosted by the NSU Eta Mu Chapter of Phi Beta Delta Honor Society for International Scholars, with NSU Watson Library and the School of Creative & Performing Arts.

The title comes from the Declaration itself, which speaks of “the ties of our common kindred.” Organizers used the phrase to show that the ideals of 1776, equality, liberty and government by the people, are shared by people around the world.

The NSU Trumpet Ensemble, directed by Galindo Rodriguez, opened the program with “America the Beautiful.” Chapter President Christine R. Ferrell welcomed the audience and Donna Baker introduced the program.

Performers then shared music and poetry of freedom from five nations. Sofiko Tchetchelashvili and Chialing Hsieh represented Georgia. Claudette Elline Cruz, Lhareen Lazo and Hsieh performed a Filipino patriotic song. Irene Gomez and Steven Mendoza played and sang works from Ecuador. Ferrell read Belgium’s “La Brabançonne,” and violinist Andrej Kurti closed with Serbian folk tunes.

The finale brought 10 readers to the stage to read the Declaration in English, Nepali, French, Dutch, Spanish, Tagalog, Chinese, Hindi and Georgian. Readers were Debbie Huntington, Nabin Sapkota, Damien Tristant, Ferrell, Edgar Martinez, Cruz, Hsieh, Neeru Deep, Tchetchelashvili and Baker. The audience then read the document’s final pledge together.

The evening concluded with a reception of finger foods from around the world, giving guests a final taste of the many cultures that came together to celebrate.

The celebration also had a purpose beyond the stage: helping NSU students. Throughout the evening, guests were invited to give to the Phi Beta Delta Eta Mu Chapter scholarship fund. Every donation goes directly to scholarships for Northwestern State University students.

“Give a gift that opens doors,” the chapter urged guests. For many students, a scholarship can make the difference in staying in school, studying abroad or connecting with the wider world.

The chapter stresses that any amount makes a difference. Community members who could not attend can still support NSU students by giving online at https://nsulafoundation.com/funds/phi-beta-delta/donate/.

Phi Beta Delta event:

Performers from around the world participated in “Works of Our Common Kindred,” presented by NSU’s Phi Beta Delta chapter. From left are Stephen Mendoza, Irene Gomez, Lhareen Lazo Donna Baker, Debbie Huntington, Nabin Sapkota, Damien Tristant, Christine Ferrell, Edgar Martinez, Claudette Elline Cruz, Chialing Hsieh, Neeru Deep, Sofiko Tchetchelashvili and Andrej Kurti.