County to Participate in Statewide Medical and Health Exercise

Improvised Explosive Device Scenario to Evaluate Current Response Plans

On Thursday November 18, 2010 from 8am to noon, Santa Barbara hospitals, clinics, Public Health Department, EMS, Sheriff and Fire and other partners will participate in the Statewide Medical and Health Exercise with an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) scenario. The purpose of this exercise is to provide medical care facilities with an opportunity to evaluate current response plans and capabilities for an IED threat or event in the county. This is only an exercise.

The exercise will focus on the:

• Ability of hospitals and other medical care providers’ to communicate and respond effectively to a large surge of patients with EMS and law response partners.

• Ability of the Public Health Department Operations Center to provide resources and support to the IED response through coordination of local and regional healthcare partners.

• Implementation of the Sheriff Coroner mass fatality plan and law enforcement response operations.

Over 85 mock injured “victims” with make-up injuries will present at emergency departments across the county.

Twenty-seven agencies are participating across Santa Barbara County. These are:

˗ Santa Barbara County Public Health Department

˗ Santa Barbara Emergency Medical Services Agency

˗ Marian Medical Center

˗ Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital

˗ Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital

˗ Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital

˗ Lompoc Valley Medical Center

˗ Santa Barbara County Sheriff-Coroner

˗ Direct Relief International