When emergencies happen, preparation and teamwork are critical.
That’s why Marshfield Clinic, Marshfield Police Department and Marshfield Fire and Rescue came together for a joint emergency training exercise aimed to strengthen community preparedness and improve response during high-stress situations.
As part of the healthcare organization’s commitment to improving health beyond its walls, this specific multi-agency response training reflected an ongoing investment in the safety and well-being of the patients and communities it serves.
“This full-scale mass casualty drill was an outstanding demonstration of our health system’s commitment to preparedness and patient safety, as well as a powerful example of what can be achieved through strong multi-agency partnerships,” said Ian Fisher, manager of emergency management at Marshfield Clinic Sanford Health.
Drills like these prepare agencies to respond together in critical incidents that would involve many patients at once, such as a natural disaster, active shooter, multi-vehicle crash, chemical spill, or building collapse.
“The collaboration between all the agencies involved in planning this drill was exceptional,” said Haley Brace, emergency medical services coordinator at Marshfield Medical Center in Marshfield, Wisconsin.
The agencies together had been planning this exercise for about a year. It was a full-scale exercise, complete with volunteer “patients” wearing makeup and special effects.
Photo by Tom Loucks, City of Marshfield
Plans made, lessons learned
The opportunity allowed law enforcement, fire rescue, emergency medical services and medical staff to practice working together in realistic emergency scenarios which can identify gaps, improve response strategies and build familiarity in the event of a real crisis.
“Bringing first responders and healthcare teams together in a shared learning environment reinforced relationships, communication and coordination needed during a real-life emergency,” Brace said.
“We were able to test communication, decision-making, and response coordination across all agencies, so we’re better prepared during a real event. Insights and lessons learned from this exercise will be carefully reviewed and used to develop targeted improvement plans, strengthening our preparedness and enhancing our ability to respond effectively to real-world events.”
Fisher said the interagency collaboration speaks to dedication and trusted relationships built across the region – and more.
“Exercises like this not only strengthen our ability to respond effectively in real emergencies and help save lives but also serve as a core component of the Marshfield Clinic Emergency Management Program’s ongoing commitment to protecting the safety and well-being of our patients, staff, and community,” Fisher said.
“Insights and lessons learned from this exercise have already been reviewed, shaping targeted improvement plans and informing the design of the next evolution of this exercise coming early next year, continuing to enhance our preparedness and response capabilities for real-world events.”
Together, Marshfield Clinic and Sanford Health continue to support partnerships and preparedness efforts which help ensure communities receive the care and support they need when it matters most.
Photo by Tom Loucks, City of Marshfield
Learn more
- Emergency prep is everyday work for Army reservist
- Fargo PD officers discharged, celebrated after recovery
- Sanford, USD launch emergency medicine residency program
…
Posted In Community Impact, Emergency Medicine, Marshfield, Thought Leadership
