When you do something well, the best form of flattery is being copied.
In this case, other agencies from around the world are looking closely at the work of Boston EMS and area providers in managing the Marathon bombing. These events happen so rarely, and while tragic, provide a real world glimpse at the infinite number of “what if” scenarios we all play with during disaster exercises.
What? Your agency doesn’t do disaster exercises? Why not? Just because it hasn’t happened yet, doesn’t mean it never will, right?
There are too many agencies I know of that have fabulously prepared binders and electronic documents of what to do in case of a major event. Trouble is, no one knows about them. Worse, providers know but no effort is made to do practice drills or tabletops.
Practicing can be really simple. Imagine doing triage on every patient for a tour. Takes a couple seconds, and reminds you to evaluate respirations, pulse and mentation (RPM) during the exercise.
You can do mini tabletops with your crew. Come up with some interesting scenario, like a stampede of bulls gone wild down Main Street, trampling a couple dozen unsuspecting bystanders. As silly as it sounds, it’ll give you and your crew an opportunity to size up the situation and deploy your MCI plan.
It’s the simple things that make our lives a bit easier when you know what hits the fan. That would not be the time to think about things — that’s when you have to perform, just as the Boston providers did.
