NCCH PREPARES FOR EMERGENCY SITUATIONS IN 9-11 EXERCISE Northern Cochise Community Hospital held an emergency exercise Tuesday, Sept. 11, with participants including City of Willcox Police and Fire Departments, LifeNet / Air Methods air medical services, Sheriff's Deputy Search & Sunsites Pearce Fire District, Rescue Commander Dave Healthcare Innovations EMS services, and Cochise personnel to work with exercise at NCCH was a drill and not an actual emergency. It was also noted that clinical personnel in the Emergency Room may be able to use the help of EMS responders inside NCCH the hospital when they are no Noland. This allowed clinical patients inside the helicopter without fear of damaging LifeNet's in-service helicopter. However, clinical personnel also learned about the satety harness system, doors, fire and those responders can check with incident command to be transferred to a new assignment. Bill Hopkins, NCCH facilities and emergency planning manager, said, "The purpose Emergency Management The scenario included a medical helicopter crash in the NCCH parking lot area, hazards and other ins and with three crew members and outs of the LifeNet helicopter a patient on board and two was first to provide the opportunity for the hospital to in case of a real event destrians in the parking t involved. Two of those involved in the crash were pediatric patients, in order determined that each o help the hospital's ER pediatric certification process. specific duties and worked NCCH initiated its Hospital mprovements could be made "Secondarily, the drill let Incident Command System the future. Current Willcox the hospital practice our (HICS), with new Willcox Interim Police Chief Dale Hadfield taking the role as Incident Commander, while drill with our community first responders, including fire police, sheriff and EMS. This was the first time since I have been at NCCH that we have drilled all together, enhanci our working relationships. Agencies discussed the exercise at its close and participating agency did their well together, and that several Police Chief Jose Rios said that in a real event, they would block off the area to reduce dangers to other vehicles incident command and our emergency triage capabilities. These are two critical core capabilities for NCCH's ability to respond to a potential mas and pedestrians and clear the six patients, determining medical needs for each and whether medical resources the area for those working the emergency situation casualty incident happening Coordinator Gabe Lavine said mmunity," Hopkins said. he has the ability to quickly NCCH staff will continue get information out to other to learn and improve with agencies in the county to help each exercise to prepare for during any particular crisis. emergencies of all kinds He said he can also "get the Our next event is less than a impacted area in the know," as the county uses an app for participate in a county-wide could be brought in from the Couty Emergency Servicesin or near the greater willcox community or area health clinics and whether transport was needed for any patients. The incident also required curtailing a hazardous material situation from a month away, as NCCH will Davis Monthan Air Force Base a public information Joint ise in October, as we in Tucson was able to provide Incident Command center a simulated helicopter thanks which NCCH used in this case healthcare close to home to help from Cochise County to put the word out that the continue to provide excellent content