LI med students prep for terrifying mass-casualty events with intensive emergency-response program

Students from Long Island are honing their skills to respond to mass shootings, terrorist attacks, and serious LIRR derailments, as part of one of the nation’s most rigorous emergency response training programs.

Last week, learners from Northwell’s Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra concluded an intensive eight-week EMT course with a hands-on event featuring staged mass-casualty incidents. The training simulated conditions such as explosions, gunfire, and chaotic scenes with actors to reflect the challenging situations first responders often encounter.

Even though the events were orchestrated, the insights gained by the students were very real.

“I believed I could manage a scenario involving numerous individuals exiting a derailed train,” shared John Brady, a first-year medical student who took part in Mass Casualty Incident Day. “However, when I was in the thick of it—searching for patients, prioritizing their treatment, and assisting them off the train—I realized the complexity of the situation and the various elements at play.”

Other students, including Brady, expressed that interacting with the crisis actors, who delivered outstanding performances to make the drills feel realistic, significantly shifted their perspective.

Kayleen Argueta, also a first-year student, noted that the simulation’s intensity affected her deeply, leading her to comfort as much as treat the actors portraying victims.

“In the field of medicine, it’s essential to combine clinical skills with interpersonal skills,” Argueta remarked.

The diverse scenarios—ranging from bombings to hazardous spills—were designed to prepare these emerging healthcare professionals for high-stress situations where multiple victims require swift attention.

Paul Wilders, the chief instructor at the Nassau County Fire Service Academy and event coordinator, reassured the students that the experiences they had would resonate beyond the chaotic scenes. “Experiencing the response to mass casualty events allows you to comprehend not just the medical needs, but also the psychological trauma faced by victims—their fear and potential for non-cooperation,” Wilders explained. “From today onward, you will manage crises with greater skill and efficacy.”