Staff photo / R. Michael Semple Senior Kent State Trumbull nursing student Makaila Tovtin of Struthers, left, is screened by senior nursing student Adamari DeHoyos of Canfield during a simulated disaster Thursday morning at the school in Champion.

WARREN — Senior nursing students from Kent State University at Trumbull joined Trumbull County and Warren City health officials Thursday for an immersive disaster preparedness exercise, simulating the response to a bioterrorism attack involving anthrax exposure.

The Point of Distribution (POD) drill, held in the university’s Technology Building, tested students’ ability to assess patients rapidly, distribute life-saving medications and manage public panic during a mass casualty event.

Mary Beth Lukach, nursing professor at Kent State Trumbull, said the exercise prepares graduating Bachelor of Science in Nursing students for public health emergencies.

“They’re learning how to dispense medications and run a POD if there was a biological agent exposure in the community,” Lukach said. “We have scenarios where half the students are victims and half are running the POD stations, then we switch.”

The simulation included scenarios such as pregnant patients, breastfeeding mothers, and individuals with communication barriers or complex medical histories. Students followed clinical algorithms to determine appropriate antibiotic treatments for anthrax exposure.

The drill replicated an open POD system with four stations:

•Registration for collecting patient demographics.

•Screening for reviewing medical histories and symptoms.

•Medication distribution to determine proper antibiotic regimens.

•Education / discharge to provide medication instructions and final checks.

“There’s a medical station in the middle for complex cases that need physician review,” Lukach said. “They’re learning to handle chaotic situations calmly — that’s crucial when people are frightened about exposure.”

Erin Heckman, director of nursing for Trumbull County Combined Health District, noted the training builds on lessons from COVID-19 response efforts.

“During COVID, PODs were critical for vaccine and PPE distribution,” Heckman said. “We use both open PODs for the general public and closed PODs for specific populations like nursing homes to reduce strain on the system.”

Heckman discussed the importance of efficiency stating, “You don’t want people waiting three hours for antibiotics. Our stations move patients through registration, screening, treatment and final checks as quickly as possible.”

The exercise specifically considered challenges in serving Trumbull County’s diverse population, from rural areas to urban centers.

“We must ensure equitable distribution,” Heckman said. “Transportation barriers mean we can’t expect everyone to come to us — sometimes we need to bring resources to vulnerable populations.”

Alexis Hartmer, a senior nursing student from Bristol, was surprised by the complexity of emergency response.

“I didn’t realize how much planning was involved,” Hartmer said. “Determining medications based on allergies and medical conditions showed me how detailed this work is.”

The experience changed Hartmer’s perspective on public health nursing.

“I would definitely volunteer in a real emergency. They need medical professionals who understand these systems.”

Health officials encouraged public participation in preparedness efforts through the Medical Reserve Corps volunteer program. The event concluded with a debriefing to evaluate response effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.

Kent State Trumbull’s nursing program conducts the annual drill to strengthen partnerships between academic institutions and public health agencies while preparing the next generation of nurses for crisis response.