(Editor’s Note: See “Picture NVC” on the college website
www.napavalley.edu.)
On May 13, NVC’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program had a Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) drill on campus. There were overturned cars in the Ballfield Lot with volunteer "patients," including some children, made up to appear injured. First Responder, EMT, Paramedic, Nursing and Respiratory Care students, among others, got hands on experience. Ambulances transported "patients" to makeshift Emergency Departments (a large tent) and also to the Skills Lab in the 800 building. Two helicopters landed, once in the morning and once in the afternoon, on the athletic fields and students could practice loading patients on the helicopters.
“The drill allows professional Paramedics and EMTs to meet required competencies while pairing our Paramedic and EMT students with them for their learning,” said Kate Benscoter, dean of Health Occupations. “The MCI drill is the result of cooperation of many agencies in our area donating time and equipment.” Those agencies included: Queen of the Valley Medical Center Emergency Department staff, Napa Emergency Physicians group, Napa Fire Department, Piner's Ambulance, CALSTAR Air Ambulance, REACH Air Ambulance, Napa State Hospital Fire, CHP, Cal Fire, Napa County Fire, and Napa County EMS Association.
Bravo to Cori Carlson RN, MSN, EMT-P, Napa Valley College EMS Director, and all those involved. There was even a student public information officer for the drill who was interviewed by a real reporter.