SUNY Westchester Community College Participated In Emergency Tactical Course And Drill At New York Medical College
In a historic moment for SUNY WCC, faculty and students played a critical role in a weeklong federal training course for law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services from across the nation who convened at Westchester County last week.
Counter Narcotics and Terrorism Operational Medical Support (CONTOMS) is a federal course which prepares participants to become tactical emergency medical technicians (EMT-T). It is offered only four times per year in the United States. At the end of the training, the participants engage in a 16-hour mass casualty incident drill to put their knowledge and newly acquired skills to the test. On June 15, 2023, this drill was in effect from 7AM until 11PM at the New York Medical College campus in Valhalla. The SUNY Westchester faculty and students of the summer emergency medical technician (EMT) course were able to observe and participate as patients in this course and drill.
“Being prepared for mass casualty incidents is becoming even more important for EMTs so this level of participation is important. It is a wonderful and unique experience for our students,” said George W. Contreras, Dean of the School of Health Careers, Technology and Applied Learning. “As a practicing paramedic for over thirty years, I deeply value the importance of hands-on practical training as much as possible. The students played patients with various injuries including gunshot wounds, stabbing, shrapnel and overdose. They were prepped with make-up and special effects to add realism to the drill. Today’s event was a great display of collaboration among higher education institutions, federal, private, and county agencies practicing during the drill as they would in a real-world event.”
This year’s collaboration and participation was coordinated by Dean Contreras who took this course many years ago and is now a guest instructor for the same. Over 25 students from EMT Professors Rob Del Greco and Joyce Wilson courses participated as well as local volunteers such as Chappaqua and Eastchester Volunteer Ambulance Corps. As per the course instructors, the drill was a huge success due to SUNY Westchester’s participation. The collaboration was such a success that the course instructors invited SUNY Westchester to participate next year, providing a valuable and unique experience for a new cohort of students.
About Westchester Community College
Westchester Community College provides over 31,000 full-time and part-time students with an education taught by award-winning faculty at one of the most affordable tuition rates in New York State. WCC offers more than 60 degree and certificate programs, including innovative programs in such high-demand fields as cybersecurity, health information technology, respiratory therapy, and digital filmmaking. The college reflects the rich diversity of its region and was the first SUNY campus to be designated a Hispanic Serving Institution.
Westchester Community College Foundation
Since its founding in 1969, Westchester Community College Foundation (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization) has raised funds to meet college and student needs not covered by public funds, distributing over $2 million in scholarships annually. Through its fundraising and programmatic activities, the Foundation supports the college’s efforts to provide access to quality education and skills for success.
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