This content was published: May 27, 2010. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
Emergency Services Open House hosts a drill that could save lives
Photos and story by James Hill
The Emergency Services Open House featured programs housed in the Public Services Education Building – Fire Protection Technology, Criminal Justice, Emergency Medical Services (where paramedics and emergency medical technicians are trained), Emergency Management and Emergency Telecommunicator 911. The centerpiece of the day’s events were two mock vehicle rescues in which students from several programs collaborated to simulate a drunken driving accident. Students extricated victims (actually volunteers from Scappoose High School) from a wrecked vehicle, administered immediate emergency treatment and then prepared the victims for transport to the hospital.
A Fire Science student uses an axe to break the windows of the car used in a mock drunken driving drill.
A Scappoose High student acts like a drunken driver who gets the third degree from PCC Public Safety, which uses the experience to test their skills in interviewing and arresting impaired subjects.
A field sobriety test was given to the driver while Fire Science students used the "Jaws of Life" to cut open the victim's car.
Director of PCC's Emergency Services Program Kal Robertson, left, and Cascade Campus Dean of Instruction Scott Huff christened a new fire engine donated by Clackamas County Fire & Rescue. The Emergency Services Division now boasts three working fire engines, one “brush rig” (for fighting wild fires) and two ambulances.
About James Hill
James G. Hill, an award-winning journalist and public relations writer, is the Director of Public Relations at Portland Community College. A graduate of Portland State University, James has worked as a section editor for the Newberg Graphic... more »