Serious emergencies happen when you least expect them.

The University of New Haven is at the forefront of preparing students for the unexpected.

Hundreds of college students took part in the Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences' annual mass casualty incident drill Friday morning on campus.

This year's scenario simulated the deadly New Year's attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans.

Students got hands-on experience with car extrication, evidence collection, hazmat incidents and bomb threats.

"We want to throw it all at our students to get them in the most real scenario possible," says UNH Fire Science Club president Lauren Mulinski. "They're going to be in a chaotic situation with a lot of things going on, and they're going to have to use their critical thinking skills to solve problems."

University officials say each student participating in the annual drill learns something new each year.