Exercise and Training Highlights
EMS Competition
American Medical Response (AMR) has hosted its National Competition at DMI for five years. After winning local and regional competitions, 7 two-person teams from across the U.S. compete in the final event for the “Best of AMR” title. The pairs participate in numerous situations with actors to replicate challenges they might face in the field. In addition, the teams compete in a timed driving course (EVOC) that measures their abilities to operate an ambulance safely while caring for a patient. Participants are judged on their clinical knowledge, applied skill, adherence to safety guidelines, patient care, and teamwork under pressure.
Tactical Casualty Care (TCC) Training for Local Law Enforcement
On March 28, 2017, Tactical Casualty Care Simulation attendees participated in live, hyper-simulated events to help them assess, stabilize, or rescue civilians or fellow officers until emergency medical personnel arrive on-scene. The sessions at the Center for Simulation and Disaster Management Institute included in-class and hands-on training to assess casualties and employ lifesaving techniques, such as: triage, hemorrhage control, wound packing, and airway and breathing. Afternoon sessions included hyper-simulated scenarios, such as Domestic Violence: with an officer down; Active Shooter: with multiple patient casualties; Domestic Terrorism Bombing: with multiple casualties; and Tornado Alley: aftermath of a tornado with multiple injuries and unstable debris. Participants included the Aurora Police Department, Denver Police Department, Westminster Police Department, and many other agencies.
Mass Casualty Exercise
On Sept. 23, 2011, the Department of Homeland Security, NorthCentral Region, funded a mass-casualty exercise titled Operation Mountain Guardian intended to improve interagency communication and coordination during a coordinated terrorist disaster response. More than 100 agencies participated. The exercise included:
- A car bomb with a radioactive element resulting in mass casualties and injuries, with an active shooter impeding rescue efforts.
- A building wired for explosives by terrorists, necessitating SWAT team involvement and hostage rescue.
- A suspicious truck loaded with explosives parked next to a nearby nursing home necessitating the coordinated evacuation of incapacitated elderly residents.
HAZMAT and Public Safety and Security
On March 3, 2012, the Colorado National Guard Response Force training exercise began with a security guard happening upon an elaborate lab system while executing a routine security sweep and expanded to become an active terrorist scenario. The FBI, Aurora PD, the Denver Fire Department’s hazardous materials crew and the National Guard 8th Civil Support team were among those handling the faux crisis. The scenario was complicated with live role players simulating on-site protestors being deliberately provocative while intermingled with bystanders. Participating responders had to safely secure the area and investigate the scene. There were four key elements to the exercise: communications; on-site incident management; weapons of mass destruction/HazMat response; and emergency public safety and security.
Natural Disaster
On Dec. 17, 2011, a six-hour tabletop exercise focusing on communications following an F5 tornado was held involving agencies such as Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES), Urban Area Search and Rescue, Colorado Special Tactics and Rescue Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) and parts of Arapahoe, Elbert, Douglas and Adams counties. The one-mile wide tornado allegedly touched down near Interstate 25 and Yale Avenue in Denver with a northeastern tracking. It was picked up right before it hit Denver International Airport, leaving a path of destruction including multiple Emergency Operations Centers, fire stations, police stations and substations, power lines and multiple means of communications. The exercise was designed to test response procedures, gauge existing policies and protocols, and evaluate communications plans relating to operability and interoperability in assisting first responders sent to aid with disaster efforts.
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