Airport Practices Emergency Response with Health Sciences Simulation Center – March 10, 2020
On March 10, 2020, the Arizona Simulation Technology & Education Center (ASTEC) participated in Tucson Airport Authority’s full-scale emergency exercise, which takes place every three years as required by federal law. ASTEC staff and volunteers had less than an hour to simulate wounds on community members so they could roleplay injured airplane passengers. The scenario involved an explosion caused when a drone landed on the plane’s wing. Using makeup, fake blood and prosthetics, ASTEC personnel replicated black eyes, wounds and other traumatic injuries that first responders might encounter in real life. The drill allows health care providers, firefighters, police officers, National Guard officers, TSA and FBI agents, and others to test emergency plans to make sure they’re ready to hit the ground running in the event of a real-life emergency.
The Tucson Police Department has a group of volunteers on hand to roleplay community members during police training drills. On this day, TPD volunteers received fake wounds to simulate a full-scale emergency at the Tucson International Airport.
Sadie Keesler, an undergraduate at the University of Arizona College of Science and ASTEC volunteer, spent one morning of her Spring Break applying makeup to TPD volunteers roleplaying injured travelers. Here, Kessler creates a black eye on Tylinn Smith.
Merryl Lopido, simulation operations specialist for ASTEC, places fake skin on a woman to simulate a wound sustained during a flight. In this scenario, a drone landed on an airplane’s wing and exploded, injuring several passengers and forcing the plane to land.
A vendor donated two high-fidelity manikins to add to the realism of Tucson Airport Authority’s full-scale emergency drill. After ASTEC decorated the manikins with wounds, they were ready for first responders, who can use them to practice caring for patients in any emergency situation.
The tools of the trade: ASTEC staff know how to use makeup, sponges and brushes to create true-to-life but simulated traumatic wounds.
David Biffar, ASTEC’s assistant director of operations, pours liquid latex into a cup to prepare for the creation of the next volunteer’s wound.
Merryl Lopido, simulation operations specialist for ASTEC, cuts synthetic skin to be placed on a volunteer to simulate a realistic-looking wound.
Deana Ann Smith, BS, BSN, RN, healthcare simulation educator for ASTEC, air brushes blood-red special-effects makeup on a man’s stomach for an emergency exercise.
Peter Williams, a TPD volunteer playing an airplane passenger with wounds on his stomach, is on the receiving end of an air brush wielded by Deana Ann Smith, BS, BSN, RN, healthcare simulation educator for ASTEC.
Merryl Lopido, simulation operations specialist for ASTEC, pats down a simulated wound on Helen Ward’s leg. TPD volunteers like Ward will be triaged by first responders based on the severity of their simulated injuries.
Merryl Lopido, simulation operations specialist for ASTEC, and David Biffar, ASTEC’s assistant director of operations, use special-effects makeup to simulate traumatic injuries on volunteer Helen Ward’s leg. Many volunteers received simulated wounds with fake blood or embedded debris.
With outstretched arms, volunteer Pamela Leonard prepares to roleplay an airplane passenger injured by a midair explosion. Merryl Lopido, simulation operations specialist for ASTEC, uses special-effects makeup to create fake burns.
Sadie Keesler, an undergraduate at the University of Arizona College of Science and ASTEC volunteer, creates a burn effect on volunteer Deborah Tilley. Tilley said she was excited to Skype her grandchildren and show them her simulated wounds.