Special Sections OCT. 9, 2013 | Page 52

Page 52 Oct. 9, 2013 Courtesy of the News-Review and The Three Lakes News Ministry staff participate in disaster training Imagine a small group of domestic terrorists attacking local infrastructure, leading to injuries and death, a disruption of daily life and instilling fear among area residents. It’s a scenario most people don’t want to think about, but 140 personnel from 37 health-care and hospital facilities across Wisconsin recently dealt with that scenario during an intensive, weeklong training program at the Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP) in Anniston, Ala. CDP provides emergency responders with the skills they need to respond to and manage incidents and is fully funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency so participants can attend at no cost to their employers. Daniel Halverson, a paramedic at Ministry Eagle River Memorial Hopital, attended the national disaster training program in Alabama. In June, Ministry Health Care and Affinity Health System sent 29 staff members representing 11 different entities to participate in Wisconsin Week at the CDP, where attendees received extensive training related to their professions before coming together for the simulated terrorist exercise. It marked the first time the CDP offered training for participants from a single state. Groups participated in a number of events including one that donned personal protective equipment in 90-degree weather while another group coordinated emergency management resources. “Getting to practice in an environment where the situations are as realistic as possible was very important,” said Laura Magstadt, director of patient care services at Ministry Health Care (MHC). “It’s challenging for individual communities to put on their own mock disasters, particularly to this scale. Given the resources of the CDP, we were able to simulate a significant number of patients arriving for care.” For the Wisconsin group’s scenario, multiple attacks on a subway system required officials to triage and treat more than 300 patients, who were portrayed by role players and mannequins. Participants engaged in patient triage, patient tracking, haz-mat, caring for patients and incident command activities during the mock disaster. “What a great opportunity it was for us to work with our other Wisconsin hospital contemporaries and operationalize several large-scale patient exercises in a real hospital environment,” said Mark Dascalos, MHC manager, Pa- Ministry Health Care staff attended a national disaster training program requiring rescue personnel to treat more than 300 patients portrayed by role players and mannequins. —Contributed Photos tient Care Services for emergency medical services and emergency preparedness. “This training and these learnings are not something we could reasonably duplicate, and being able to apply this education here is a great benefit to our patients and others who live, visit, or vacation in the North Woods.” Daniel Halverson, paramedic, Ministry Eagle River Memorial Hospital; Arthur Koser, paramedic, Howard Young Medical Center; and Sheila Meyer, emergency department manager, Howard Young Medical Center, also attended the national disaster training program. With FEMA’s support, round-trip air and ground transportation, lodging and meals were provided at no cost to responders or their agency or jurisdiction. Local Heroes ~ Saving Lives Every Day Sugar Camp ~ Supporting the community that supports one another THANK YOU TO ALL EMERGENCY STAFF HAIL TO OUR HEROES Honoring the Best and the Bravest of our Community! Superior Plumbing and Heating, Inc. THE BEST IN POWER & LIGHT Trenching • Bucket Truck BRETT SCHNEIDER Electrician 6593 Hwy. 17 North • Rhinelander, WI 54501 • 715-272-1060 Your Electrical Contractor Honoring all who serve our community! Olson Electric, LLC Residential – Commercial Licensed Master Electrician Phone [phone] Fax [phone] Hwy. 17 North Rhinelander, WI 54501 ON THE SUGAR CAMP STRIP OPEN 11 A.M. TO CLOSE — 7 DAYS Homemade Pizza, Homemade Sandwiches and “Pre-game Warmups” 6885 Hwy. 17 715-272-1749 SMALL ENGINE REPAIR OF CHAIN SAWS gas 6345 Hwy. 17 North Rhinelander, WI 54501 Phone: [phone] www.sugarcampent.com 4135 King Road Rhinelander, WI 54501 715-272-1625 715-272-1660 [email protected] FREE ESTIMATES Featuring Custom-Built Wood & Laminate Cabinets Kitchen Design & Layout Solid Surface, Laminate, Granite & Quartz Countertops Brumar Cabinetry, Inc. 6685 Hwy. 17 North, Rhinelander, WI 54501 Bruce Butzlaff Office: Mark Holquist 715-272-1419 brumarcabinetry.com • [email protected]