January 20, 2009
On May 21, 2008 a Mock Casualty Incident was held in the community of Trail, providing BC Ambulance Service (BCAS) paramedics with an opportunity to practice all the components of a field response with Emergency Service partners. Paramedics from Nelson, Salmo and Trail joined partners from Teck Hazmat Response, Kootenay Boundary Regional Fire Service, RCMP, PEP, Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital and the Corners Service.
The event saw a school bus collide with two street racing cars, which caused a truck loaded with SO2 to drive off the road. As a result, the SO2 tanker to developed a leak, which was quickly handled by the Teck Hazmat Response Team. The vehicles burst into flames, which was swiftly extinguished by the fire service. Next it was BCAS' turn to shine. Ten paramedics descended on the chaos, where they triaged and transported thirty patients to Kootney Boundary Regional Hosptial, one of the first hospitals to get involved with such a large-scale training event.
The training exercise was a great opportunity to test BCAS' recent MCI training and the Incident Command system, so paramedics are always ready and able to provide the best care possible to patients.
