With the aid of actors, Ottawa County first responders train for mass casualty event in Allendale

ALLENDALE — Dozens of law enforcement officers, firefighters and emergency medical service providers converged at Grand Valley State University on Sunday for a simulation designed to train and prepare for a mass casualty event.

The large-scale drill included actors, who imitated a crowd hit by a vehicle. The drill began at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 14, and continued until 6 p.m.

Actors and first responders participate in a mass casualty training exercise near Lubbers Stadium in Allendale. The training simulated a crowd struck by a vehicle.
Actors and first responders participate in a mass casualty training exercise near Lubbers Stadium in Allendale. The training simulated a crowd struck by a vehicle.

The exercise was co-hosted by the Ottawa Medical Control Board Authority, Grand Valley State University and Ottawa County Emergency Management.

“The purpose of the exercise is to develop the best capability in Ottawa County possible for responding to large-scale mass casualty incidents,” said Ottawa County Emergency Management Director Lou Hunt.

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"We are already confident in our first responders and medical professionals in Ottawa; they all know their jobs well, but this exercise tests coordination and efficiency across the disciplines as they work together."

The exercise Sunday, Aug. 14, was co-hosted by the Ottawa Medical Control Board Authority, Grand Valley State University and Ottawa County Emergency Management.
The exercise Sunday, Aug. 14, was co-hosted by the Ottawa Medical Control Board Authority, Grand Valley State University and Ottawa County Emergency Management.

Hunt added that, while the simulation is an important exercise, the lessons learned are invaluable for future training.

“Our best measurement of success will be a comprehensive after-action report that identifies where we need to grow, and we will then make the necessary changes."

The training came less than 24 hours after a Pennsylvania man drove his car into a crowd during a fundraiser, killing one person and wounding 17 others.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Ottawa County first responders train for mass casualty event in Allendale