ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando VA Healthcare System brought together dozens of medical workers for an emergency response training exercise.
The mass casualty scenario took place on Thursday at the VA Medical Center in Lake Nona.
The multi-hour drill simulated patients suffering from various injuries after a scenario that involved a cargo plane crash.
“We don’t wait for a crisis to figure things out. This exercise gives us the chance to challenge our systems, improve how we work together, and make sure we are ready to deliver when our Veterans and community need us most.” Director/CEO Timothy Cooke said.
The event brought together local, state, and federal emergency response agencies, as well as healthcare systems, law enforcement, and public safety organizations from across Central Florida.
Students from Wekiva High School also participated as role-playing victims to provide a more realistic environment for the exercise.
“Having students involved adds a level of energy and realism you simply can’t replicate. It not only strengthens the exercise for our teams but also gives young people a firsthand look at how emergency response works and why it matters,” Public Affairs Officer Melanie Thomas said.
The exercise tested a range of capabilities, including assessment of triage victims, communication between agencies, and resource management.
Organizers of the event said a primary goal was to improve response times in emergencies to give medical workers a better chance to save lives.