Shreveport and Bossier City Prepare for Life-Saving Mass Casualty Drill Amid Local Hospital Activity

Shreveport and Bossier City Get Ready for a Life-Saving Drill

On a bright Tuesday morning, October 22, 2024, the locals of Shreveport and Bossier City may notice some unusual activity around their hospitals. Don’t be alarmed! It’s all part of a well-planned mass casualty incident (MCI) exercise aimed at sharpening the disaster preparedness and response skills of healthcare providers in our community.

What’s Happening?

Local hospitals will be buzzing with action as emergency departments brace for an influx of individuals portraying simulated trauma patients. A total of 92 students from Northwestern State University (NSU) – Shreveport will step into the roles of victims needing urgent medical attention. These dedicated students have undergone special training in moulage techniques to create realistic injuries, including fake burns and other traumatic wounds, in order to mimic a real-life emergency.

Collaboration at Its Finest

This exercise isn’t just a solo mission for the hospitals. It’s a joint effort that pits various local organizations against a common goal: ensuring the community is prepared for any unexpected disasters. Partners in this initiative include the Caddo and Bossier Parishes Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, the Shreveport Fire Department, Balentine Ambulance, Calumet Specialty Products, Barksdale Air Force Base, and the Louisiana Region 7 Healthcare Coalition.

Learning Through Realism

What makes this drill so beneficial is the realistic atmosphere created for practicing crucial emergency response skills. Knox Andress, a registered nurse and the Designated Regional Coordinator for this project, stated, “Our exercise objectives will include casualty triage, communications, coordination, surge capacity, and patient tracking.” Each of these components is vital for a robust disaster response. They want to ensure that when our community faces a real crisis, health services can jump into action swiftly and efficiently.

Visitor and Patient Information

For those visiting the hospitals or receiving treatment that day, it’s important to remember that while the sights may be alarming, everything is part of the drill designed to enhance community resilience. You might witness teams in action, working together to manage the large number of simulated casualties. This vibrant display of teamwork reflects a commitment to the safety and health of our residents.

Why It Matters

Preparing for potential emergencies is essential in any community. By holding these realistic drills, Shreveport and Bossier City are demonstrating their commitment to being ready for any situation, whether it’s a natural disaster, an accident, or any other crisis. The hope is that through repeated practice and collaboration, our emergency services can continually improve their efficiency and can save lives when it matters most.

Conclusion

As we look forward to this significant training exercise, let’s cheer on the healthcare professionals, students, and emergency responders as they work hard to prepare for the unexpected. It’s a reassuring reminder that our community is always ready to lend a helping hand when needed. So, if you see a flurry of activity at your local hospital, you’ll know that it’s just another day in Shreveport and Bossier City dedicated to ensuring our safety!