By Patricia Villers
The New Haven Register
SHELTON, Conn. — In a mock disaster drill at the United Methodist Homes Monday, participants responded to a fire that a Bishop Wicke Health Center resident accidentally started in his room.
Residents and staff took part in the hourlong drill, and about 40 volunteers from the city’s four fire companies responded to the Long Hill Avenue site, said Fire Chief Fran Jones.
In addition, 15 members of Echo Hose Ambulance Corps treated “victims” in two triage areas, Assistant Director Joe Laucella said.
“This is the third fire disaster drill (held here),” said Jones. “It tests both the internal disaster plan of the facility and the external standard operating procedures of fire department, ambulance and dispatch.”
Laucella said the facility was “very proactive” in preparing for a fire disaster.
Jones said “realistic time delays were built into the drill,” and crews arrived on the scene at various times.
Ron Bucci, administrator of Bishop Wicke Health Center at the United Methodist Homes, said the facility likes to work with the Fire Department and EMS crews. “We learn from each other,” he said.
In a triage area set up in a physical therapy room, nurse Jean Recklet stood ready to receive patients. Soon resident Robert Dalton was wheeled into the room. Recklet pretended to administer oxygen to him.
Nursing supervisor Lisa Fabrizio, who had brought the patient to the triage area, was treated by Recklet for a head injury. Recklet reassured her and treated the wound. “I just put a pressure dressing on that. You’re going to be just fine,” she told Fabrizio.
Aides wheeled in patients who had been evacuated from their rooms. Suddenly, several people carried Bucci into the room and told Recklet that he had gone into cardiac arrest. Recklet performed CPR on him.
Meanwhile, two emergency workers came in to help. Laucella told them to keep those who had suffered smoke inhalation on oxygen and then sent one to help patients in another location.
In an outdoor triage area close to where the fire had started, several people feigned injury, including Debra Samorajczyk, director of administrative services, who was on the ground, suffering from smoke inhalation and a broken arm.
After the drill, Jones said, “The Wicke team did a phenomenal job.” He said he encourages other facilities in Shelton to practice and drill.
Those interested should call fire and emergency department officials to schedule a drill.
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