Hands on St. Clair County

ARES Amateur Radio Emergency Services

 ADPH Exhibits Mobile Hospital Unit in Pell City

By Mari Culver, Hands-on Birmingham, St. Clair Program Liaison

The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) set up a mock disaster exercise April 17^th at Lakeside Park in Pell City.

The exercise included an inflatable hospital, which could be expanded into more sections as needed.  The advantage of these inflatable units is that they can be placed anywhere and assembled quickly.  Chester Cochran, ADPH Disease Intervention Director, stated that from truck to complete set up was thirty minutes for the units.

“Pell City was chosen for this drill because ADPH wanted to locate in a rural area where there would be less resources available,” Cochran said.

Inside of the mobile hospital were beds, nurses supplies, IV stands and a first-aid station for normal injuries.  Also inside was a portable sink, complete with a five-gallon water tank supply.  Under a normal situation, the sink could be hooked up to a hose and faucet.

Included in the set up were two emergency ADPH trailers, complete with everything from portable folding wheelchairs to baby beds.  Outside of the set up were a portable toilet unit, with plastic disposable biodegradable bags, and a shower unit with a pump.

Salvation Army also set up for the drill with their food trailer, complete with supplies of cookies, crackers, snack cakes, bottled water and soft drinks. They even served hot-dogs.

“In disaster situations, you have to be prepared for anything, and be able to set up in a moment’s notice, “ said Candi Williams, Director of Hands-on Birmingham.  “Hands-on Birmingham serves during disasters by assisting with Volunteer Reception Centers,” she added.

See photos of the Mobile Hospital Triage Drill.