CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - Parkridge Medical Center hosted a special workshop and emergency vehicle exposition today for members of the area healthcare community as part of continuing education on “Coordination and Response to a Medical/Public Health Emergency”.
The program - developed by the Tennessee Department of Health in cooperation with the National Center for Emergency Preparedness at Vanderbilt University Medical Center – provided information about the planning, education and management resources that are available in the event of a public health crisis or mass casualty incident. The special training session also gave healthcare professionals a rare opportunity to explore - in a non-crisis setting - many of the specialized vehicles used in disaster response.
“In disaster preparedness planning, many healthcare professionals receive information about the resources that can be called upon, should a need arise,” notes Robin Marsh, Parkridge Emergency Department Director and Emergency Preparedness Coordinator. “However, they usually never get to see these pieces of equipment, so we were excited that this aspect of today’s event came together as it did.”
Local hospital officials, EMS coordinators, crisis response managers and law enforcement personnel from as far away as Nashville took turns touring the various emergency vehicles and asking questions of emergency response staff members. The specialized vehicles made available for tour at today’s event included Chattanooga Fire Department’s hazardous materials response truck, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency’s communication truck, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department’s Mobile Command vehicle, Erlanger’s Regional Medical Communications Center rig, and the Chattanooga Metropolitan Medical Response System’s Decontamination and Mass Casualty Response trailers.
The Hamilton County Health Department displayed information about the emergency functions of the agency as well as examples of its specialized ‘jump kits’ - black plastic footlockers full of bandages, medications and assorted emergency supplies that Health Department nurses use to aid crisis victims. The Health Department also offered information about DART, the Disaster Animal Response Team that helps displaced pets and livestock after a catastrophic event or natural disaster.
“We all hope that these materials and services never have to be used, but it is comforting to know that they are available should a disaster occur,” said Dale Solomon, Parkridge East Emergency Department director.
Parkridge Health System
Parkridge Health System is a multi-campus facility which includes Parkridge Medical Center, Parkridge East Hospital and Parkridge Valley Hospital. Parkridge Medical Center, the 275-bed main campus on McCallie Avenue, is an Accredited Chest Pain Center which offers comprehensive acute care services including cardiology, oncology at The Sarah Cannon Cancer Center, complete surgical services including the first robotics surgery program in the region, award-winning orthopaedics, and a 24-hour Emergency Department. Parkridge East Hospital, a 128-bed medical-surgical facility located in East Ridge, provides the best in obstetrics including Neonatal Intensive Care as well as surgical services that include robotics, orthopaedics, and advanced gynecologic procedures. Parkridge Valley, our 140-bed behavioral health facility, offers mental health services for children, adolescents and adults as well as treatment for addictive disorders. We are a family of hospitals for your family. To learn more, visit www.ParkridgeHealthSystem.com or contact MedLine at (800) 242-5662.