LEXINGTON, Va., June 8, 2024—Virginia Military Institute cadets preparing to be post emergency medical technicians (EMTs) underwent mass casualty incident (MCI) training recently. Donnie McBrayer, assistant EMT advisor at VMI, was assisted by instructors from Mountain Gateway Community College and volunteers from Lexington Fire Department to create a real-life simulation of a gas line explosion in which the cadets had to quickly assess the victims—both human and mannequin—to determine the seriousness of their injuries, transfer them to a staging area, then reassess them to decide if they should be transported to the hospital.

McBrayer stated that when the rats arrive in August, mini MCIs may occur. “The reason why we train the cadet EMTs this way is that when 400 rats go out on hikes on hot August days, 15 may become light-headed, faint, or sustain an injury. The EMTs who accompany them will have to assess the condition of each rat is in distress, and determine their next course of treatment,” he said.

Cadets completing the MCI training will receive certification from the state.

Marianne Hause
Communications & Marketing
VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE