The College of Southern Nevada’s Charleston campus hosted a live emergency simulation on October 15, when a Mercy Air helicopter landed at 3:15 p.m. for a training exercise with paramedic students. The event provided 21 students from the North Las Vegas and Charleston programs with practical experience in helicopter landing zone setup, safety protocols, and patient loading and unloading procedures.
Program Director Braiden Green emphasized the value of the opportunity, stating, “This kind of training would cost around $40,000 if we had to pay for it, so we’re incredibly thankful to Mercy Air and Las Vegas Fire & Rescue for volunteering their time and expertise.” Las Vegas Fire & Rescue managed the landing zone, while Mercy Air’s flight team demonstrated the complexities of emergency air transport coordination.
The simulation was limited in size to maximize hands-on learning during the short window the flight crew could remain on the ground. The event was especially significant in light of recent aviation accidents, highlighting the importance of safety and preparation.
The exercise highlighted the College of Southern Nevada’s partnerships with local emergency response organizations, which enable students to gain real-world experience prior to graduation.