Tuesday, June 10, 2025
CVTC hosts annual simulation for EC Fire & Rescue
Over the course of three days during the first week of June, 70 Eau Claire Fire & Rescue members participated in a training scenario at Chippewa Valley Technical College created specifically for them by Theresa Meinen, CVTC simulation education manager, and others in the department.
The goal: to sharpen the crew's skills in scenarios that they may not see on a day-to-day basis, Meinen said.
The training, hosted at the College's Health Education Center in Eau Claire, simulated a 911 call made by a Meals on Wheels staff member who reported hearing an elderly male occupant yelling for help. From outside the window, they could see his feet and determined he was lying on the floor. Upon arrival, responders initiated their Forcible Entry protocol, as the individual was unable to unlock the door. This was the training scenario.
Once inside, they discovered the man (a simulation manikin) had fallen several days earlier and likely sustained a broken hip. The team then proceeded through a series of additional protocols to assess his condition, administer care, notify medical control and arrange transportation to the hospital.
"It's important to make sure our local EMTs, firefighters and paramedics have the most up-to-date skills to do their jobs effectively and efficiently in our communities," Meinen said. "Offering this type of training is beneficial for the fire department and it's a part of CVTC's mission. It's a win-win."
