Northwood Tech News

The event ran from 4 to 7 p.m. and featured immersive room scenarios, live EMS demonstrations, guided tours of a training ambulance, and opportunities to explore emergency equipment. Visitors also connected with workforce partners to learn about careers in emergency response. Two live scenario tours at allowed guests to step directly into the types of high-pressure environments EMT and paramedic students experience during training.

Throughout the evening, families stepped into simulated emergency scenes enhanced by full 360-degree projection, environmental sound, wind effects, and scent cues. These elements demonstrated how students learn to stay calm under pressure, assess hazards quickly, communicate effectively, and make critical decisions while treating patients in unpredictable situations.

The concept for creating a more lifelike training environment began with Karen Hoglund, dean of public safety for Northwood Tech. She recognized that students needed more complex and realistic environments than traditional equipment could provide. Her commitment to deeper, sensory-rich learning led to the development of an immersive space that mirrors the challenges of real emergency calls and prepares students for what they will face in the field.

Funding for the Immersive Room was made possible through the EduSTAT in Rural Healthcare Grant. Northwood Tech participated as a sub-recipient through Chippewa Valley Technical College in Eau Claire. Grant dollars from the U.S. Department of Labor supported the purchase of Echo Healthcare’s immersive technology. Although the broader EduSTAT initiative connects multiple colleges, Northwood Tech’s focus is on enhancing emergency medical training for students who will ultimately serve the College’s 11-county region.

Northwood Tech President Dr. John Will emphasized the value of this technology for local workforce development. “We are committed to equipping students with training that truly reflects the situations they will face as EMTs and paramedics,” Will said. “This immersive experience gives them the chance to practice critical skills in a safe, controlled environment while still feeling the intensity of real-world emergency response. It is part of our mission to prepare students to serve their communities with confidence and professionalism.”

Graduates are already seeing the benefits of this enhanced training. “The immersive system enhanced my education as a paramedic by providing real-life scenarios that are otherwise impossible to simulate without being in the field itself. It created a 'real-life' experience using all five senses and forced me to apply critical thinking skills in a time of high-pressure, critical situations, as well as remain a calming presence in the face of chaos,” said paramedic graduate Sydney Hein. “There is nothing closer to real-life paramedicine than actually being in the field. The immersive system allowed my instructors to 'package' up the chaos and release it into a room so I could learn in a safe and controlled environment, allowing me to enhance my confidence, skill set and critical thinking. The immersive room made me realize how important it is to maintain situational awareness in regard to your patient, as well as the environment you are immersed in. It showed me the significance of expecting the unexpected and how to prioritize tasks that need to be completed while faced with adversity."

Northwood Tech’s portion of the EduSTAT project supports simulation equipment, instructional development, and resources that help prepare emergency medical students at the Rice Lake campus. The Immersive Room plays an essential role in equipping future EMTs and paramedics who will go on to serve communities across northwest Wisconsin.

Grant Statement

This workforce product was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. The product was created by the grantee and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy, completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership.