Mock 'Code Orange' Tests Disaster Response

A mock disaster training exercise in Bracebridge tested Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare’s emergency response plan and put hospital staff, physicians and volunteers at the South Muskoka Memorial Hospital (SMMH) Site through their paces in reacting to an influx of patients.

A Code Orange is an external community disaster or emergency situation that impacts the capacity of hospital services. MAHC has emergency plans in place, and mock exercises ensure the organization and the staff have access to the systems and tools to effectively respond and point to areas for improvement.

The exercise at SMMH began just after 1 p.m. on Tuesday, June 4 and followed a scenario where an airplane was forced to make an emergency landing on Highway 11. Nearly two dozen patients with varying medical conditions and severity of injuries were transported to the hospital where the triage team worked to quickly assess and direct the wounded to the various treatment areas that were mobilized by the response teams. An Emergency Operations Centre was initiated to coordinate the response and a Family Centre was also established where discharged patients would be reunited with their loved ones. The exercise ran for about two hours while the hospital continued to operate.

The exercise involved community emergency responders from Muskoka Paramedic Services, Muskoka Victim Services and Bracebridge OPP, as well as local students who role played as disaster victims.

“At the time of the drill, the hospital was busy with patients and I commend our teams for their excellent response, and for effectively managing the additional activity associated with the drill as well as normal hospital operations and patient care,” says CEO Natalie Bubela. “These training exercises are invaluable to ensuring preparedness, testing capacity, identifying any issues or bottlenecks in the response, and implementing solutions.”

Emergency preparedness experts from partner facilities and the North Simcoe Muskoka LHIN participated as observers to evaluate the response and identify areas for improvement.

“All staff from the CEO, to doctors and front-line staff embraced the experience and opportunity to learn and grow to better prepare for a potential large-scale emergency in the future,” says observer Milly Thomson, Clinical Nurse Educator & Emergency Response Plan Lead at West Parry Sound Health Centre.

The collaborative drill was also an opportunity to enhance our partnerships and relationships with other agencies to ensure appropriate and effective coordination of our emergency response activities.

“Participating in the Code Orange emergency simulation exercise helped us to test our plans, clarify inter-agency roles and responsibilities, and assess our capacity to respond to a mass casualty incident,” says Kelly Magnusson, Emergency Management Program Manager at the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit.

MAHC would like to thank all staff the following agencies for their participation and support: District of Muskoka, Town of Bracebridge, Muskoka Paramedic Services, Muskoka Ambulance Dispatch, Claire Imrie’s Bracebridge & Muskoka Lakes Secondary School Grade 10 drama class, Muskoka Victim Services, North Simcoe Muskoka LHIN, North Simcoe Muskoka Home and Community Care, Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, West Parry Sound Health Centre, and Identities in Huntsville.  

“We would also like to thank our greater community and our patients and visitors for their understanding as we completed this important training exercise,” adds Bubela.