The Mock Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) simulation at Carroll College, held this past Tuesday, is a collaborative effort involving the Nursing Department, Theatre Department, Master of Social Work faculty, the Computer Science Department, and the Hispanic Studies Department, along with volunteers from healthcare, law enforcement, and county emergency services. Now in its third year, the event has grown significantly, with over 180 volunteers contributing—many of them theatre students and Carroll alumni—who helped bring realism and depth to the scenarios through make-up, props, and performance. A custom program developed by Computer Science students was used to track patients and supplies in real time, adding a vital informatics component to the training.
This year’s simulation also featured the opening of the Nursing Department’s new Mobile Health Unit. Additionally, the Billings Clinic helicopter landed on site, giving flight personnel—including Carroll College alumnus and Flight Nurse Ted Morigeau ’12—an opportunity to engage with students and discuss their vital role in mass casualty incidents and emergency transport.
"First, a huge thank you to everyone that helped with this amazing experience from our professors, to all the volunteers, the first responders that came, and the Billings Clinic Flight team. This experience helped me to further establish providing the highest patient care possible even through the hardest of circumstances. My prioritization, level-headedness, and time management were all tested in a safe environment with many people supporting me throughout and helping me to learn. I am so grateful for this opportunity."
~ Katarina Kosiewicz, senior, Keizer, OR
Such simulations are critical for preparing nursing students for real-life emergencies. They not only provide hands-on experience with complex healthcare roles but also allow students to develop confidence, teamwork, and decision-making skills in high-pressure environments.
You can view the KTVH coverage of the training event here: Carroll nursing students get hands-on experience with mass mock casualty training.
This large-scale training was expertly coordinated by Assistant Professor of Nursing, Kate Pieper, in partnership with Associate Professor of Nursing, April Boitano.
"The Mock Mass Casualty Incident simulation provides nursing students with a safe and structured environment to apply critical thinking, clinical skills, and disaster response principles. It reinforces concepts from earlier coursework while giving students hands-on experience with nationally recognized triage protocols and the Incident Command System. The simulation concludes with a focus on trauma-informed care, which is vital not only for supporting victims but also for helping healthcare providers process trauma and remain in the profession. Research shows that high-impact simulations of this caliber enhance resilience in nurses, better preparing them to navigate real-world crises with confidence & composure. The ultimate goal is for students to draw on these experiences when faced with true disaster scenarios.”
~ Kate Pieper, MSN, RN, CEN, Assistant Professor, Nursing