Region C participated in a special full-scale exercise in Rome, GA. The exercise was hosted
by the Georgia Highland College Atrium Health Floyd Department of Nursing. GHC hosts
an annual disaster symposium to teach nursing students on-scene disaster response. The
goal is to provide insight into what all first responders and victims encounter prior to
hospital arrival. Each year the topic changes, this year Chemical was chosen. The day
started with education on first responder decontamination, first receiver decontamination
and lastly an overview of the Georgia Chempack Program. The speakers were Chief Clete
Bonnie from Rome Fire, Brittany Holcomb and Hillary Renner from Atrium Health Floyd and
Tracy Dabbs, emergency management Pharmacist at the Georgia Department of Public
Health.
After education, the GHC nursing students observed a demonstration of first responder
decontamination. Something that makes the day unique is the addition of an in-depth
trauma simulation. The scene is laid out as a tractor trailer and car collision, resulting in a
hazardous material spill as well as multiple traumas. The nursing students were able to
triage each victim based on their presentation. EMS, Fire and Nursing professionals then
debrief on the appropriate care and triage categories.
There were so many wonderful partners from Floyd County that made this exercise
successful: Georgia Highland College, Atrium Health Floyd, Floyd County Emergency
Management, Rome Fire, GA Department of Public Health, Office of EMS, and last but
certainly not least, Chattooga County High School who played our victims.