DCH Implements Specialized Response Trailer
January 2, 2015
Decatur County Public Health Administrator Shelley Bickel and Decatur County Hospital Safety Officer Troy Armstrong pose with staff from Iowa Heart Foundation and Invinci Graphics (Both Donors on the MCI Response Trailer Project) next to the Decatur County Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) Response Trailer.
The Decatur County Hospital and Decatur County Public Health have teamed to purchase a Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) Response Trailer to be staged at the Decatur County Hospital; yet available for a regional deployment if necessary.
An MCI is defined as any incident which overwhelms the capabilities of local responders. In our local region, our limited resources could quickly be depleted. A large amount of local responders within our area are Volunteers, receiving no compensation for their service; and often times working with limited or outdated equipment. Decatur County EMS, the sole transporting Ambulance within the County, only operates two Ambulances. It has also been identified that there are no Mass Casualty Response Trailers within the area, limiting responders on their capabilities in the event of an MCI response.
The types of incidents within Decatur County that may result in an MCI might include: a severe weather event; multiple vehicle collision; infectious disease pandemic; hazardous materials incident; healthcare facility evacuation; event mishap (Rodeo/Parade/Festivals) or an incident involving an educational institution.
The trailer will be stocked with miscellaneous supplies to supplement Emergency Medical Services on scene of a Mass Casualty Incident including specialized equipment such as: Triage Equipment; an Oxygen Manifold System, capable of Oxygen administration to multiple patients simultaneously; Hazardous Materials Decontamination Equipment; and supplies to render aid for approximately ten adult and five pediatric patients.
Recently on both the State and Federal levels there has been an increased awareness of the need for preparedness and response to a MCI event. Recently several personnel from Decatur County attended a Region 4 Mass Casualty Incident Tabletop Exercise.
This trailer, without question, is a huge asset to not only Decatur County but surrounding areas as well. The trailer and supplies will allow pre-hospital treatment to begin on site, inevitably saving lives, until transport units could deliver all patients to an Emergency Department.
The project has been entirely funded by grants and in-kind contributions through Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP) Funds, Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) Funds, Iowa Network Services, Invinci Graphics-Lamoni, IA and the Iowa Heart Foundation. It’s anticipated that approximately $3,000 is needed to purchase the remaining needed supplies.
