Tarkio Tech students Kody Bird, Karson Briner, and Wyatt Coslow recently participated in a mock safety incident involving employee Amy Hughes, second from right. (Submitted photo)

On November 17, 2025, after several lessons on Wind Energy and safety, Tarkio Tech instructor Chris Swain planned a mock safety incident on campus using Tarkio Tech employee Amy Hughes as the victim. With Swain stating he would be late for class, Hughes “fell from a ladder” in the hallway. Anxious to see if the Wind Energy students would react, Amy really played the part.

Almost instantly, the students came to the scene of the incident. One student called 911 and the others stayed with Hughes. The Tarkio Tech HVAC class was in session downstairs and a student came upstairs to investigate what was happening. He also assisted by going back down to get his instructor, Bryce Burton, who came up as well. Burton knew about the drill, but played it up professionally. Tarkio Police Chief Tyson Gibbons was present and Chris entered the scene. That’s when the students realized it was a drill.

Gibbons, Swain, and Hughes visited with the students about all that they did successfully, while giving a few pointers in case of an actual incident. Everyone is proud of the hands-on, applicable instruction that occurs in all of the Tarkio Tech programs.     

Quotes from some of the participating individuals follow:

“The student that called 911 to report that someone had fallen from a ladder during the drill at Tarkio Tech did a fantastic job. He was calm, articulate and did an amazing job letting the dispatcher know what had happened, where they were located, and the condition of the patient. He relayed instructions to the other students on how to best assist the patient until ambulance personnel arrived. He also gave continuous updates on what they were doing to assist, and any changes to the patient’s condition.” Mark Manchester, Deputy Director, Atchison County EMA/911

“I am super proud of the kids.  They saw me on the ladder, and we exchanged hellos, like we always do. When they heard the ladder fall, and I yelled, they were very quick to respond. They did their part well with one student reassuring me help was on the way and the other two students went to the doors so they could get reception and ask questions and give updates to 911. It was a great community effort by all involved.” Amy Hughes, Facility Manager, Tarkio Tech

“My quote or comment about the exercise is still, Wow! Quick communication, followed appropriate steps taken by each student to identify the emergency, act on what they saw, not freeze, and render aid and provide concise communication rapidly. I was very impressed.” Tyson Gibbons, Tarkio Chief of Police