Rice Community Healthcare participated in a county-wide full-scale disaster drill Wednesday December 19th. “The drill, which involved a mock disaster inside the hospital, simulated an emergency that can likely be experienced in a facility like ours” said Bonnie Goans. Bonnie Goans is the Trauma/Emergency Preparedness Coordinator. The event allowed first responders to practice skills such as fire search and rescue, burn trauma, smoke inhalation trauma, patient transfers to nearby facilities, and setting up a Community ER.

“It is extremely important to practice emergencies like this one,” added Goans. “We are prepared if anything ever happens like this in our community”. Rice County, Kansas is home to more than 9,600 individuals. The community relies on local first responders, nurses, and physicians to provide the highest level of medical care possible.

“We owe a special thank you to all of the agencies that participated” said Judy Hodgson, Chief Nursing Officer. “This event took a lot of planning and preparation and we appreciate everyone that made it possible”.

Agencies that participated included Hospital District #1 of Rice County, Lyons Medical Center, Sterling Medical Center, Lyons Fire Department, Lyons Police Department, Rice County Communications, Rice County EMS, Rice County Sheriff’s Department, Rice County Emergency Management and Lyons High School.