College of Southern Idaho Students Take Part in Large-Scale Emergency Response Drill in Twin Falls, Idaho
Students enrolled in emergency services programs at the College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls participated in a large-scale emergency response drill on Friday morning, putting months of classroom preparation to the test in a simulated mass casualty scenario.
The exercise centered on a simulated gas explosion and brought together students from CSI’s EMT, paramedic, and firefighter programs. Nearly 50 actors played the role of victims and were staged across the Army National Guard’s complex, while approximately 20 student first-responders worked the mock scene, triaging and treating the simulated casualties.
Building Muscle Memory for Real-World Emergencies
For the students involved, the drill offered something no classroom lecture can fully replicate — the pressure, pace, and resource demands of a real emergency response.
“Mass casualties don’t really happen all too often but it’s great training for if something does happen,” said Kyle Costas, a CSI firefighter student. “We have a base idea of what to do so we can do a better job when we get on a real scene.”
Fellow student Amara Adamson, enrolled in CSI’s paramedic program, echoed that sentiment, emphasizing how the hands-on exercise reinforces critical instincts. “So it kinda builds that muscle memory so that when you’re doing it in real-life you have an idea of, you know, the time it takes and the effort it takes and the resources it takes,” Adamson said.
An ambulance transported students from the field scene to a makeshift hospital set up at CSI’s Health Science Building, where nursing and surgical technology students also received hands-on crisis response training. The multi-department structure of the drill gave participants across several disciplines the experience of functioning together under pressure — a critical component of effective emergency response in any real-world situation.
Nearly a Year of Planning Behind the Drill
The scale of Friday’s exercise did not happen overnight. Organizers said the simulated disaster drill required nearly a year of coordination and was made possible in part through several grants.
Ashley Lopez, CSI’s surgical technology program director and one of the key organizers, described the vision behind the event. “I wanted to create an event that gave our students an option to have a big mass casualty event where we’re all working together in somewhat of a controlled environment,” Lopez said.
Lopez said the primary objective was clear: give students across CSI’s health and emergency services programs the chance to better prepare for the careers they are training to enter. Emergency response professionals — whether paramedics, firefighters, or surgical technicians — rarely work in isolation during a crisis. Drilling together breaks down the siloes between programs and teaches students how to communicate, coordinate, and prioritize when lives are on the line.
Instructors said they intend to host additional large-scale emergency response drills in the future, signaling that this type of multi-program collaboration may become a regular part of CSI’s training curriculum. The college’s EMS, nursing, and fire programs are currently accepting applications for prospective students.
The College of Southern Idaho has long been a cornerstone of workforce development in Magic Valley, training the region’s next generation of first responders, healthcare workers, and public safety professionals. CSI’s Fire Science Program has drawn attention for its hands-on approach to training future firefighters across Idaho, and Friday’s drill reflected that same commitment to practical, career-ready education.
What Comes Next
CSI officials indicated Friday’s exercise is expected to serve as a model for future multi-program emergency drills at the Twin Falls campus. With grant funding helping offset costs, organizers are optimistic about expanding the scope and frequency of joint training events. Students interested in CSI’s EMS, nursing, or fire science programs are encouraged to contact the college directly regarding current application windows. For broader coverage of education and workforce development news across Idaho, visit Idaho News and the Idaho News Network.