Teamwork makes the dream work — and nowhere was that more evident than at Humber Polytechnic’s North Campus on September 27, during Rescue Day which is an intensive day of collaboration, skill, and community impact.
With support from Metalogics and local emergency services, the annual event united students, faculty, and first responder partners from across the region, including Halton, Peel, Toronto, and York Paramedic Services, as well as Toronto and York Police Services. York Police Services joined for the first time represented by Ryan Forsyth, a recent Humber Police Foundations graduate, coming full circle from student to community partner.
“Rescue Day continues to improve year over year because of a large, committed team who value collaborative experiential learning,” said Sarah Wilkinson, simulation education program coordinator in the Faculty of Health & Life Sciences. “These realistic simulations allow learners to work together before graduation, ensuring they’re ready to collaborate effectively when real emergencies occur.”
Students from Paramedic, Pre-Service Firefighter Education and Training, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Emergency Telecommunications, Police Foundations, and Exercise Science and Lifestyle Management programs put their knowledge to the test throughout the day.
Students in the Faculty of Media, Creative Arts, and Design helped capture aerial footage of the drill using drones, offering a new perspective on the complexity of the emergency response simulation in action. Students from Exercise Science and Lifestyle Management also conducted physical demands assessments to better understand the occupational challenges faced by first responders and receivers.
“The highlight is always seeing the transformation that happens when students step out of their comfort zones,” said Rachel Bembridge, professor, Paramedic Program and Program Advisor, Emergency Telecommunications Program. “We intentionally create an environment that encourages experimentation, teamwork, and shared learning. It’s incredibly rewarding to watch students rise to the occasion.”
The highlight of the day was a large-scale simulated mass casualty incident, designed to replicate the intensity and unpredictability of a real emergency. Future police officers, paramedics, firefighters, nurses, emergency communicators, and exercise science specialists worked side-by-side, applying their skills in communication, decision-making, and collaboration under pressure.