TAYLORSVILLE, Utah -- The Utah Healthcare Association teamed up with Utah first responders and hospitals on Saturday to practice rescue efforts in a simulated emergency at a fictional long-term healthcare facility in Taylorsville.
More than 100 volunteers participated in the practice emergency scenario, which simulated a meth lab explosion behind the fake facility. Deb Burcombe works with the Utah Healthcare Association, and she said the drill focused on long-term care being able to partner with hospitals and others.
“What we’re doing is wanting to show that together, with all these healthcare providers, we’re able to best meet the needs of the community if, God forbid, some disaster or catastrophic event occurs,” Burcombe said.
She said they chose an over-the-top scenario for their drill so responders would be better prepared if a big-time emergency came to pass. The drill included triage and transport of injured subjects, who were played by real people with graphic looking fake injuries.
Burcombe said this event is just the first of many steps, and she said she is most excited about the cooperation she’s seen so far.
“The most valuable part of all this is, that throughout the Salt Lake Valley, providers are coming together and working together,” Burcombe said.