MERT Drills
Have you ever wondered how our staff members are trained to respond to medical emergencies?
At Wayland Union Schools, the safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our highest priority. Each building is supported by a trained Medical Emergency Response Team (MERT), prepared to respond quickly to any medical situation communicated over the PA system or via walkie-talkies. Team members participate in annual trainings led by our school nurse, along with staff who are certified EMTs or trained through the Red Cross, ensuring every building is equipped to handle emergencies with confidence and care.
To maintain a high level of readiness, our core support team conducts unannounced drills twice each year in every building. These drills incorporate realistic scenarios that challenge MERT members to respond just as they would in a real emergency. Following each exercise, teams engage in a thoughtful debrief process to reflect on strengths and identify opportunities for improvement, with a continued focus on enhancing response time, coordination, and communication.
Pictured is the middle school MERT team responding to a simulated scenario in which a student fell from a chair and sustained a head injury. Staff members practiced recognizing the emergency, implementing concussion protocols, and coordinating communication with parents and emergency responders, critical steps in a high-stakes situation.
Through ongoing training and practice, Wayland Union Schools remains committed to fostering a safe, prepared, and responsive environment where every second matters.
