Emergency Management teams train for disaster response preparedness

EDMOND, Okla. (KFOR) — As most know, preparedness is key for first responders when helping during disasters. Emergency management crews from across Oklahoma converged on Edmond to hone their skills Wednesday morning and make sure they're ready to roll when duty calls.

On the Edmond Fire training grounds on Wednesday morning, it was quite a bit of chaos, but coordinated and purposeful, to simulate a mass casualty or injury event.

"When people are yelling, creating that chaos, how are they going to treat their patients? What are they going to do?" Paramedic, Physician Associate, and observer at the event, Johnnie Gilpen said.

Several emergency response teams from across the state come to the event every couple of years. When disaster strikes, they need to know how to act, but more importantly, how to communicate.

"When you come together as a team from different agencies, you have to learn how to work together. You have to have your command and control together," Director of Murray Co. EMS and Regional Emergency Medical Services System representative Brad Lancaster said.

"REMSS" is the acronym for the system that is made up of ambulance service personnel from 8 different regions across Oklahoma. Those were the people taking part in the exercise by grabbing victims, getting them to safety, and taking care of their simulated injuries.

"It makes them perform better when they actually have to perform in real life," Lancaster said.

It's a long day of learning to react and learning about those they'll serve alongside as they work tirelessly to save lives when they're needed most.

"We are here to support them, and I hope the communities and state of Oklahoma support them," REMSS representative and Muskogee Co. EMS employee Tricia Fleming said.

The event continues Thursday and Friday with other agencies like the Oklahoma City Fire Department and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

They said there is a need for more Physician Associates (PAs) to join the REMSS teams so they can have more available medical personnel during disasters.