Hospital Partners with Sun Lakes for Disaster Exercise
was designed to test how Sun Lakes
residents and the hospital would respond
to and work together in the event of an
emergency situation.
The SGMH Team responded to a
theoretical 7.6 earthquake on the
San Andreas Fault, about two miles
northeast of Cherry Valley Boulevard and
Beaumont Avenue. A few minutes after
the theoretical earthquake occurred, the
entire Pass Area "lost" electrical service,
and a theoretical traffic accident caused
a chemical spill and three automobile
fires on the freeway.
the emergency room, where they were
treated and then released. The exercise
was a great way for SGMH associates to
prepare for and practice their roles in the
event of a real disaster.
"The disaster drill was not only an
excellent opportunity to work with Sun
Lakes, but also with Highland Springs
Surgery Center, as we worked together to
support our community in the exercise,
just as we would in an actual event," said
Janna Merrick, Emergency Preparedness
Coordinator for San Gorgonio Memorial
Hospital. Merrick noted that SGMH
recently incorporated the Riverside
Several "injured" patients from Sun County Medical Volunteer Program into
Lakes were brought to San Gorgonio the hospital's disaster response policies.
San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital Memorial Hospital's new Emergency
"By using the MVP (Medical Volunteer
partnered with the Sun Lakes Department and Intensive Care Unit
Program), we can insure qualified and
community and the Highland Springs Building, where a triage unit and incident
professional volunteers are available
Surgery Center for a Disaster Exercise on command center were set up. Many of
when and if needed in an actual event to
Monday afternoon, June 10. The exercise the injured patients were transported to
assist our associates," Merrick said.
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BEAUMONT NOW | JULY 2013
