Duniway Park Drill
On Thursday, September 25, 2003, ODMT participated in a multi-agency mass casualty drill at Duniway Park in Portland Oregon. The scenario consisted establishing a medical care point to deal with triage, treatment, and transport of a large number of patients. A bioterrorism component was also part of the exercise. Since the drill was focused more on process, versus actual patient treatment, instead of human patients, approximately 200 teddy bears were used to simulate patients. The bears were triaged, then moved to appropriate treatment tents, where simulated treatment was recorded on patient forms. ODMT performed quite well as both a Disaster Medical Assistance Team as well as a Veterinary Medical Assistance Team!
This was a unique training experience for ODMT, as we were inserted into a unified command structure with Portland Fire and the Multnomah Department of Health. It was an excellent opportunity to learn about other agencies' protocols and standards, and will prove valuable should an actual event that involves multiple agencies takes place in the future.
Here are some photos of the drill courtesy of Tom Cronin, who served as our communications officer and field photographer with his camera/cell phone. All of Tom's photos (including many of our unofficial team mascot, Otis) can be seen here.
ODMT tent set up on the grass at Duniway Park.
Helen in Portland Fire's command truck.
Teddy bears being triaged.
Inside one of the treatment tents.
"Patients" ready for transport.