Industrial Disaster Exercise in AZ Sint-Maarten: On Saturday, October 19, a large-scale disaster drill took place at AZ Sint-Maarten (AZ is the abbreviation for Akademic Hospital) on Liersesteenweg. More than 100 employees and extras pitched in for this industrial disaster drill, which was conducted in cooperation with the Rivierenland Police and Fire District and the City of Mechelen (Belgium).
Large-Scale Cooperation for Security
The disaster drill, under the name“Otterbeek‘, simulated a fire in a patient room and an aggressive offender who caused casualties. The fictional balance of the exercise included two deaths, several serious injuries and several minor injuries. This scenario provided an opportunity for both hospital staff and emergency responders to test their skills in a realistic situation.
Strengthening Internal and External Processes
According to Maarten Walravens, hospital emergency plan coordinator at AZ Sint-Maarten, the purpose of these disaster drills is not only to improve the hospital’s internal procedures, but also to optimize cooperation with external emergency services and the City of Mechelen. “The knowledge gained during the trainings must be applied in practice. Although we assume the exercise will not be perfect, it is especially important that our employees gain confidence in their skills and know the processes well,” Walravens said. Read more below the photos
Aggression as a Theme
The exercise revolved around a scenario in which an aggressor set fire and caused dozens of casualties. This particular scenario was chosen because aggression is unfortunately more common in hospitals. “The government asks us to be prepared for amok situations,” said Tom Kix, staff engineer and hospital emergency planning expert. Training such as this disaster drill remains essential within the hospital emergency plan.
Safety of AZ Sint-Maarten Ensured
The disaster drill, which lasted about an hour and a half, was conducted in departments that do not operate on weekends. As a result, regular care at the hospital was not disrupted. For the emergency services of the Rivierenland zone, this exercise also provided an additional opportunity to get to know the hospital building better.