MyChart
On Wednesday, April 23, Welia Health conducted a large-scale Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) training exercise aimed at enhancing the region’s readiness to respond to major emergencies. The simulation, which involved a staged school bus crash with multiple vehicles, took place at Ogilvie Raceway and Sundown Campground, with patient care provided through Welia Health’s Emergency Department in Mora.
When first responders arrived at the scene at Ogilvie Raceway, they were met with a complex and chaotic situation. The school bus had tipped over on its side, and several vehicles were involved in the crash, leaving multiple patients in critical need of care. The Ogilvie Fire Department quickly took charge, establishing incident command, while Welia Health EMS assumed medical command. Together, teams worked to triage and stabilize patients, ensuring those with the most severe injuries received immediate attention. As additional responders arrived, the coordinated effort continued, with everyone focused on managing the crisis as efficiently and safely as possible.
The scenario involved 24 mock patients, many of whom were played by Ogilvie High School students, each with varying levels of injuries. First responders were tasked with assessing, triaging, and transporting patients under simulated crisis conditions.
“These drills are essential for testing our readiness, improving teamwork, and ensuring we’re able to provide the best care possible when every second counts,” said Dr. Brian Niskanen, Chief Medical Officer at Welia Health.
Agencies participating in the exercise included:
- Ogilvie Fire Department
- Mora Fire Department
- Welia Health EMS
- North Memorial EMS
- Lakes Region EMS
- Essentia Health EMS
- Allina Health EMS
- Life Link III
- North Memorial Air Care
Evaluators from each agency were stationed throughout the exercise to provide feedback and identify areas for improvement.
North Memorial Health, a long-standing trauma partner to Welia Health, played a key role in designing and implementing the training, as well as providing valuable feedback.
Once patients arrived at Welia Health’s Emergency Department, hospital teams quickly sprang into action. They triaged patients in the ambulance bay, managed limited resources, and made rapid decisions about transfers and treatment, while maintaining clear communication with EMS teams at the scene.
“The professionalism and coordination across all teams were outstanding,” said Adam Harvey, EMS Manager at Welia Health. “This exercise highlighted the importance of collaboration between hospitals and first responders in ensuring community safety.”
This MCI drill had one clear purpose: to protect the health and safety of our community. In a real emergency, moments like these would be critical. Thanks to this exercise, first responders, EMS crews, and hospital staff now have improved experience and tools to respond quickly and effectively.
“From my standpoint, this was an incredibly valuable learning experience,” added Dr. Niskanen. “The coordination required for an event like this is immense, but what truly stood out was the dedication and expertise of everyone involved. If a real emergency were to occur, I am confident in our ability to respond effectively. You can take comfort in knowing that you are in the hands of talented, committed teams who is ready to provide the best care possible.”
Welia Health extends its sincere thanks to all participating agencies, as well as Ogilvie Raceway and Sundown Campground for providing their facilities. Through collaborative efforts like this, the region is better prepared and safer than ever before.
Contact:
Welia Health Communications
info@weliahealth.org