Waupun to run Chemical Spill / Mass Casualty Drill on August 1

They say the better prepared you are for any eventuality, the easier it will be if the time ever comes. This is especially true when it comes to emergency personnel preparing for unexpected disasters like tornadoes, chemical spills, multi-vehicle accidents and much more.

And, come August 1, Waupun area residents may see the most recent collaborative effort between the City of Waupun Police and Fire Departments, as well as Waupun Memorial Hospital and Lifestar EMS as they conduct a hazardous materials and mass casualty functional exercise that evening.

This team came together on June 24 to complete a tabletop exercise in preparation for the “live” event on Thursday, August 1.  

“We are bringing together local key leaders who would help to coordinate an incident, ensuring that all appropriate resources are directed to those responding to a particular disaster,” says Lieutenant Joe Pfalzgraf, Waupun Police Department. “This exercise will give us time face-to-face to discuss and brainstorm how we will work collaboratively and efficiently to manage any crisis.”

Emergency responders will role play a mass casualty situation, involving a simulated chlorine spill at a local hotel with swimming pool. The actual drill will take place at Waupun Utilities so that Hazmat/decontamination procedures can be reviewed in the field.

The drill will provide an opportunity to test Waupun Memorial Hospital’s surge capacity process, as well as setting up the decontamination test near the hospital’s Emergency Department.

“It’s very important that we take time to routinely practice these scenarios so all involved parties know what their specific roles will be given any unexpected situation,” says B.J. DeMaa, City of Waupun Fire Chief/Emergency Management Director. “In disaster situations, there is already a lot of confusion as the event is unfolding, but if we know ahead of time how we will lend aid, our community and the people affected will be best served.”

The simulated disaster will give Lifestar EMS and Waupun Memorial Hospital to test their abilities to serve a higher volume of individuals with potentially serious injuries or illnesses. The August 1 event gives both organizations another opportunity to collaborate as it relates to emergency care.

“We appreciate any opportunity we can get to work together with the individuals and agencies that would need to come forward in an emergency situation,” says Shannon Abler, Waupun Supervisor, Lifestar EMS. “The more you can expose your team to these educational opportunities, the more intuitive it will be when the real situation occurs.”

For Waupun Memorial Hospital, it will give the chance to practice how they will accept more patients, while assisting patients already under its care.

“This drill will help us continue our preparedness efforts within the hospital, especially through our emergency department,” says Patty Walgenbach, RN, BSN, Waupun Memorial Hospital Emergency Preparedness Coordinator. “And, by having this drill in evening, we will be exposing even more of our providers and associates to enhance their knowledge of what we would do when we see a dramatic influx of patients and collaboration efforts with other healthcare organizations.”

So, when the community perhaps sees some of this scenario unfolding on August 1, they will know they are in good hands should a tragedy occur. 

“With everyone’s continued support and participation, we as a city will continue to grow in our training and preparation for the unfortunate and inevitable events that will come our way,” according to Pfalzgraf.  “It is always our goal to continually maintain a high level of training and preparation that our community relies on.”

For additional information on the Mass Casualty Drill, please contact Fire Chief DeMaa at bjdemaa@waupunpd.org or (920) 324-7910.