Las Vegas tests out new model on how to handle mass casualty incidents

LAS VEGAS ( KLAS ) — Las Vegas is no stranger to mass casualty incidents, which is why it’s paramount to have mass casualty incident training with area first responders and local emergency departments across the valley.

This week across 16 different emergency departments (EDs), training is being conducted on how to handle a mass influx of patients with injuries of all kinds. The training is different, utilizing a new way of preparing for mass casualty incidents called the Hospital Area Command Model.

“This is the first of its kind … this year it’s a building block approach and we’re working with the free-standing EDs,” explained Jeff Quinn, manager of the Office of Public Health Preparedness for the Southern Nevada Health District.

“This training really isn’t for us as a fire department … it’s really to test the EDs,” Clark County EMS Coordinator Erik Grismanauskas said. “Their internal processes are being developed as a result of these drills, so it’s really, really good stuff.”

The drills last about an hour and test how staff respond to multiple patients coming in at once. Testing their capability, safety and response time.

“That’s really the goal of this to see where our gaps are,” said Mitch Geiger, Chief Operating Officer for Mountain View Hospital. Those gaps can range from where to direct first responders to identifying the status of victims.

For this exercise, they used a colored tag system. Even the tape on the ground was crucial.

After the exercise they will review the entire incident and apply what they learned to the next exercise, hopefully never having to use it.

Grismanauskas said knowing where local trauma centers are located can help save lives no matter where you are..

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