NPHS to host mock disaster

On Monday, April 13, a mock school bus accident will take place in the south parking lot of North Putnam High School at 9:30 a.m. Students will learn how emergency responders and school staff members react in the face of a major disaster.

The wrecked bus will be in the parking lot of the school under a tarp on Saturday waiting for the emergency event on Monday.

Fifteen people will be injured, including one who will be taken from the site by a medical helicopter.

This training session is an annual occurrence. Last year, the disaster was a tornado hit at Roachdale Elementary School.

The mock disaster is an excellent learning tool and helps responders know what else they may need to do in a real emergency.

For instance, after the tornado event at the elementary school Roachdale Fire Chief Mike Poole noted they needed two teams to evacuate kids, not just one.

"We found out we needed more help," said Poole after last year's event. "We needed two teams, one to evacuate students and one to help injured students.

"This is one of the reasons we do these type of drills so we can be as well prepared as possible when the real thing hits," he added.

Responders and emergency personnel participating in the mock disaster include Bainbridge, Russellville and Roachdale volunteer firefighters and police, the Indiana State Police, Operation Life, Putnam County E911 and Lifeline.

In case of inclement weather, the bus disaster will take place on Tuesday, April 14 at the same time and location.

For information about the event, contact Kevin Emsweller at the North Putnam Community School Corporation at 522-6218.