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Buffalo Trace EMS trains in preparation for disaster

By DANETTA BARKER Staff Writer

Tuesday, June 21, 2005 9:23 PM EDT

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The ice storm of 2003 taught many first responders in the Buffalo Trace area the importance of being prepared for a disaster. For Carl Chaney the experience is described in one word -- nightmare.

As Lewis County Emergency Management director, Chaney had the immense responsibility of trying to coordinate emergency services for Lewis County when the ice left the area in ruins.

Larry Dixon, regional EMS director, used the ice storm to further educate first responders Tuesday during an exercise scenario involving an ice storm. He wanted the people who man the emergency operations center to learn to work with first responders in the field.

"The whole point of this class is to effectively manage limited resources in Mason County and make the best use of key personnel during disaster," Dixon said.

Mason County EMS Director Wayne Muse is the person who would activate the EOC should a disaster strike. Fire Chief Eric Bach said Muse would call out the people he needed.

"He might call the fire department," Bach said. "Or he might just call utilities."

Larry Dixon gives a pointer to Paul Wallingford as calls come in to the emergency operations center. Terry Prather/Staff

The process in an emergency is to evaluate the situation, then call out the people needed to help. Muse was busy during the exercise sending personnel to certain situations. Part of the scenario was a woman who was having a heart attack. Getting an ambulance to her during an emergency situation involved the coordination of several different first responders.

"When EMS gets a high priority call, sometimes they get in touch with surrounding communities to help," Muse said. "The ambulance from Aberdeen can pick up this woman."

When a disaster strikes, it doesn't mean that other emergencies stop, according to Dixon. Life with all its little troubles continues. Prioritizing calls is very important during a disaster.

"The EOC staff will have to prioritize requests for assistance based on the most critical need," Dixon said.

Participants for the class included Maysville Police Chief Kent Butcher, Assistant EMS Director Greg Taylor, Fire Chief Eric Bach and many others who were using radios and phones to relay messages from the EOC. Dixon stressed the importance of status boards, which were set up to keep EOC personnel aware of the situation.

"Any of the people should be able to come in and look at the status board and be able to tell what is going on," Dixon said.

As the class continued, Muse listened and learned.

"This is actually what happened in Lewis County during the ice storm," Muse said. "The one thing we learned is how quickly your resources are depleted when the power is out for three weeks."

Contact Danetta Barker at Danetta.Barker@lee.net or call 606-564-9091 ext. 272.

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