Disaster Drill

Millcreek Disaster Drill Third grade student Alan Lape is leaving his school and is on his way to a hospital. As a rescue team carefully loads him into an Air-Med helicopter, Alan is delighted that his wish came true. You see, he won an essay competition to get this ride. The helicopter, medical crews, and even Alans feigned injuries are all part of a large scale disaster drill at Mill Creek Elementary School. (Roy Christiansen, disaster response team lead, St. Marks Hospital) [One of kind drill, state and federal agencies nine agencies, city, county. Strike teams came out for training in mass casualties.] The drill was months in planning. Just hours before the feigned disaster would strike, participants lined up to receive their injuries in the school cafeteria. The disaster is to be as realistic as possible. (Zachary Nelson, Sixth grade) What happened to you? Arms got blown up, hands destroyed The moulage artists were no less gentle with young girls. ) Were going to get a bone and break her arm. Awesome) While it all seemed fun during the make-up session, the realism of the fake trauma, and the destruction of the offices and classrooms were set to help rescue workers know how to deal with such a catastrophe. The school, too, benefits from the exercise. (Tina West, Principal) The more you practice the better you get, do it every month, can do bomb drill, moulage, acting it is great experience. Well know how to respond . The story begins with a disgruntled ex-employee making a threatening call about bombs in the neighborhood. (simulated phone call): Tired of being put on hold, crap, youre going to have bombs going off pay attention people will find out, have a great day! Then suddenly, everything in the school goes black. Rescue vehicles from nearly every agency in the valley respond. Firemen heft their gear and don breathing equipment. Then, they go in. The halls are filled with smoke. A deafening buzz blares from the P.A. system. Muffled cries for help are difficult to pinpoint. (crying of woman) When the rescuers reach the victims, they find them buried under tangled desks and debris. (cries for help) Eventually, victims are carried into the light, which begins to show the numbers of casualties and the scope of the injuries. It is not easy to manage, even in a make-believe scenario. Its just what the disaster drill organizers wanted. (Jones: it affected them, felt it was real, tough, dealing with children. Excellent experience, learn how to care for special needs, none have been exposed to this.)