Students at White County High School are getting a hands-on look at emergency response thanks to three new 911 simulators now up and running in the classroom.
Principal Greg Wilson said the simulators are designed to better prepare students for careers in criminal justice and emergency services. He added that the simulators could also help spark student interest in filling critical workforce needs within the county.
“You know, there are shortages in different areas, with you know, emergency management and emergency services, so the more kids that we can prepare to help out our community, I think it’s better for White County as a whole,” Wilson said.
Criminal Justice Instructor Jerrica Demps said the simulators are software that students train in scenarios that include medical emergencies, fires, and crimes in progress. Demps said the system requires multiple students working together to simulate how a real 911 center operates.
“You have one student who is like the call maker, making the emergency call, and they are using a scenario, but they’re adding things in to make it more realistic,” Demps said. “And then you have someone who’s answering the call at 911. And then you have a dispatcher who is getting all of your emergency vehicles dispatched to the scenes. And then your fourth student actually acts as the law enforcement officer or the fire department, whoever’s on that end, so that they can respond back. They’re actually all working on different simulators, but they’re all intertwined, so that it works like a real 911 system.”
Beyond the classroom, the program could give students a direct pathway into the workforce. Demps said students can earn a public telecommunications certification, allowing them to begin working shortly after graduation.
“This is going to provide an opportunity for them to be able to be certified at graduation,” Demps said. “Once they graduate and turn 18, they’re ready for the workforce.”
Demps said students have only been using the simulators for about a week, but the response has already been positive. Wilson said the program was made possible through support from local officials, the board of education, and career and technical education leaders, all working together to bring new opportunities to students in White County.
Demps said White County Schools is one of two school districts in the state to have the simulators. Demps said it is exciting to be a leader statewide on this initiative.