EMERGENCY RESPONDERS, HOSPITAL E-R STAFF AND LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TOOK PART IN AN EMERGENCY HAZMAT DRILL AT BOTH OF UNITYPOINT’S SIOUX CITY HOSPITALS THURSDAY MORNING.
KEVIN HANDKE, THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM MANAGER AT UNITYPOINT, SAYS THE EXERCISE DEALT WITH A SIMULATED AMMONIA LEAK WITH HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ACTING AS THE VICTIMS:
DECON1 OC……TAKEN CARE OF. :14
EACH HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT WAS GIVEN A SPECIFIC ROLE TO PLAY AS A VICTIM TO GO THROUGH A DECONTAMINATION PROCESS AND INJURY ASSESSMENT:
DECON2 OC……WITHIN THE HOSPITAL. :13
STUDENTS FROM SERGEANT BLUFF-LUTON COMMUNITY SCHOOLS AND SIOUX CITY CAREER ACADEMY TOOK PART, AND WERE LITERALLY HOSED DOWN AS PART OF THE EXERCISE:
DECON3 OC…….HAZMAT SUITS. :16
AN ACTUAL AMMONIA LEAK WOULD RESULT IN SKIN BURNS AND OXYGEN DEPRIVATION TO THE VICTIMS.
WOODBURY COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, THE WOODBURY COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE AND SIOUX CITY FIRE RESCUE AND SALIX FIRE ALL PARTICIPATED.
