Airport Drill Demonstrates Textbook MCI Management
An area wide mass casualty drill was conducted on October 6 at Norfolk International Airport. With some 40 patients and responding units from Virginia Beach, Norfolk and the Airport Fire Department, the drill simulated a large passenger jet crash and fire.
Using a recently built aircraft mockup, actual jet fuel was ignited but quickly extinguished by airport and Norfolk fire units. Fire personnel immediately began field triage of victims scattered around the aircraft simulator using the START system and color-coded ribbons. Walking wounded were directed to a safe area. A mass casualty truck from Davis Corner Rescue Squad arrived and provided bulk equipment and supplies, and set up a patient treatment area. An EMS supervisor as well as leaders for triage, treatment and transportation were quickly established among responders from Norfolk and Virginia Beach. Communications were established with the coordinating hospital. Using available fire personnel, patients were moved from the crash zone to the treatment area using hand carries and backboards, and were quickly reassessed, treated and received triage tags. As ambulances arrived, red tag patients were transported. Newly arriving ambulances began transporting the yellow tag patients. Within about 20 minutes of the first transport, all patients were cleared from the scene.
A post-drill briefing revealed some minor fire suppression and operations issues and some multi-jurisdiction communication issues. Overall, however, the responders were credited for a nearly textbook example of mass casualty management and for excellent multi-agency cooperation. Great job! Click here for pictures