Oct. 4, 2010 | First responders at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) and the Arkansas National Guard sprang into action Sunday as 50 simulated disaster victims were airlifted into the state’s only certified UH-60 Blackhawk helipad atop the UAMS Medical Center.

Emergency teams at UAMS and the Arkansas National Guard joined forces Oct. 3 to eliminate any kinks that might arise should a disaster occur with soldiers at Camp Robinson in North Little Rock. The simulation began with a staged C-130 crash at the All-American Drop Zone at the base with 50 role-playing casualties in need of evacuation for medical treatment. The injured, in roles ranging from critical to minor “walking wounded,” were members of the Guard’s Recruit Sustainment Program.

“I think things went even better than I thought they would,” said Ron Crane, emergency preparedness manager, following the exercise. “We demonstrated a capability that we’ve never had as a state, and it further shows that UAMS has the facilities and personnel to very efficiently receive patients in a large-scale disaster and to treat any patient, no matter how critically injured.”

Medics and combat personnel on the ground at Camp Robinson initiated immediate medical response while members of the brigade’s 238th Air Ambulance and 114th Aviation airlifted personnel to the UAMS helipad. Two Blackhawks and a single LUH-72 Lakota helicopter made nine trips to UAMS during the exercise.

With the opening of its new hospital in January 2009, UAMS has the only certified Blackhawk helipad in the state, enabling a valuable partnership with the National Guard. The helipad was built specifically to accommodate the Blackhawk, which weighs 22,000 pounds when fully loaded with five crew members and six patients. The landing site was constructed to minimize noise and vibrations for other hospital patients. Most civilian medical evacuation helicopters weigh about half as much as the Blackhawk and can carry only one or two patients at a time.

“The exercise demonstrated the professionalism of both organizations and further strengthened the existing partnership, which will help ensure both teams are fully ready when needed by the citizens of Arkansas,” said Capt. Christopher Heathscott, state public affairs officer at the Arkansas National Guard.

The partnership allows the best possible response to a major disaster, such as an earthquake, tornado or plane crash that requires long-distance emergency transport. The Oct. 3 mock disaster was a C-130 plane crash with 50 people injured.

“The hardest part and the most crucial part is determining where these patients need to go,” said Andy Prudhomme, clinical services manager at UAMS. “These drills are extremely beneficial in making sure everyone is on the same page under this kind of pressure.”

Following the exercise, both UAMS and National Guard officials met to review the morning’s events and discuss how improvements can be made.

“I think everyone responded well and things went about as smoothly as possible,” Crane said. “Of course, you don’t ever expect or want something like this to happen, but it’s best to be prepared in case it does.”