Disaster Response

On Monday this week, we went on Code Yellow alert with a report of a structure fire.  As it turned out, it was more than that:  a multiple homicide within a burning structure.  Six patients were undergoing CPR and five were on their way to our ED (the other to Providence Medford Medical Center).

There is no word other than "tragic" to describe this.  However, in terms of how we responded as a hospital to this nearly unprecedented influx of four children and one adult, I'm proud.  Even though I did little other than watch the ambulances arrive on the ED ramp, when it was all sorted out it was good to know that we--and the first responders in the community--rose to the occasion and did all that we could.

There is a connection to our Rehab Departments.  In this photo distributed by the Associated Press, the husband of our own Angela K is shown in the center of the image assisting the move of the last victim to an ambulance.  Justin was one of the first two firefighters on the scene, and made first entry into the smoke filled house.