Maryland Bus Crash Kills 1, Hurts Several
December 28, 2011
BETHESDA, Md. — Authorities say a collision between a public transit bus and a pickup truck just outside the nation’s capital has killed one person and injured nearly a dozen.
Montgomery County fire and rescue spokesman Capt. Oscar Garcia says 11 people were evaluated after the Wednesday afternoon crash. He says eight people will be taken to the hospital with various injuries. The pickup truck driver died.
The accident has shut down a stretch of Rockville Pike in Bethesda, Md., in both directions during the busy evening rush hour. Police were reconstructing the collision.
Garcia says the drivers of the bus and pickup truck had to be extricated from their vehicles.
Metro spokesman Dan Stessel says the bus was heading to the Lake Forest Mall in Gaithersburg.
12 people injured in CATS bus accident
December 22, 2011
CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) – At least 12 people were treated for injuries after a CATS bus was involved in an accident at N. Tryon and E. 16th Streets.
The accident happened around 8 a.m. Thursday morning, according to Mecklenburg EMS.
The details of the crash are not known but a CATS city bus and a Chevrolet truck were involved.
Paramedics treated a total of 12 patients. One person had potentially life threatening injuries and 11 others have non life threatening injuries.
Seven people were taken by ambulance to Carolinas Medical Center Main and five people were taken to Presbyterian Hospital, according to EMS.
N. Tryon Street shut down due to CATS bus accident
December 22, 2011
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A bus accident on N. Tryon Street has shut down all lanes into and out of uptown Charlotte.
Officials have not said how many people were injured in the accident, but several ambulances and a mass casualty unit have been called to the scene.
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Medic officials said most of the injuries appeared to be non-life-threatening, but there is one person with potentially life-threatening injuries. According to Medic, crews are treating a total of 12 patients. Seven of the patients are being taken to Carolinas Medical Center – Main and the other five will be taken to Presbyterian Hospital.
Twenty people were on the bus as the time of the accident.
Officials said a truck turned into the CATS bus and hit it. Police have called a crime scene unit to the accident.
Sherman ambulance bus demonstrated at PJC
December 12, 2011
A workshop and tour demonstrating the capabilities of a new ambulance bus (AMBUS) was held recently as part of the Texas Emergency Medical Task Force Program for students and emergency personnel from area counties.
PJC paramedic students and area emergency medical services and fire department responders attended the four-hour program. The Sherman Fire Department also gave a presentation about the deadly bus crash on Interstate 75 in Sherman several months ago, explaining how the recently acquired AMBUS would have been helpful in moving patients in a mass casualty incident.
Deadly school bus accident
December 6, 2011
JOURDANTON, Texas- More than 15 children on a bus were involved in a deadly accident on their way to school this morning in Atascosa County. The accident happened on Highway 16 just north of FM140.
Deputies tell us the driver of a black Honda was trying to pass the Jourdanton school bus on the right as the two lane highway merged into one lane.
Mark Ward was one of the first to arrive at the accident.
“They were getting calls that the black car was going in excess of 90 miles an hour, weaving in and out of traffic, coming from Tildon,” recalled Ward. “The lady in the white truck was one of the ones that called, and she was on the line with them. And then they said the line went dead. And then a few moments later they got the call for the accident.”
At least 44 from Lehigh U. rave party taken to hospitals for drugs and alcohol
December 5, 2011
Lehigh University Police Chief Edward Shupp expected the crowds but not the aftermath of the rave party at Lehigh on Saturday that sent dozens to area hospitals in what is being called a “mass casualty incident” that involved drugs and alcohol and strained emergency responders.
Area hospitals reported treating 44 people who attended the event at Rauch Fieldhouse. Shupp said the majority were treated for dehydration due to alcohol and substance abuse. One student said his friend broke her ankle.
The sold-out event was coordinated by California-based New Castle Entertainment and attracted 4,200 concert-goers, including members of the public as well as students from Lehigh and other colleges.
Twenty people from the rave were taken to Lehigh Valley Health Network’s hospitals in Bethlehem and Salisbury Township and 24 went to St. Luke’s Hospital & Health Network’s Bethlehem Township and Fountain Hill hospitals, representatives said.
“Even with the best-laid plans in place, things can happen and we had to call in more medical units than we expected,” Shupp said.
20 Students Injured in School Bus, Log Truck Crash in Southern Miss.
December 5, 2011
Winona, MS — A school bus and a log truck collided in southern Mississippi, sending 20 Montgomery County students to the hospital Friday, December 2, 2011. The school bus accident occurred around 7 a.m. at the intersection of U.S. Highway 82 and Lodi Road in Winona, reported The News Star.
According to officials, it is not immediately known who is at fault for the wreck. Details surrounding the accident are limited, as investigations are ongoing.
The collision with the empty log truck reportedly knocked the school bus on its side.
Responding emergency crews rushed 20 students to area hospitals of treatment of their injuries. Three of the victims were transferred to University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, while the others are being treated at Tyler Holmes Memorial Hospital in Winona.
The condition of the injured students is currently unknown at this time.
Investigations are underway.
Frisco’s ambulance bus is healing on wheels
November 23, 2011
“What caught my eye was the potential to use the vehicle as a much more efficient triage or first aid station,” said Chief Mack Borchardt. “This will be a great asset for major emergencies and natural disasters. But, we’ll also use the ambulance bus during significant special events, where we tend to treat more people at a time, particularly during extreme heat.”
In October Frisco firefighters transported 15 people to local hospitals where they were treated for carbon monoxide poisoning after a vent pipe from a water heater became disconnected at a Frisco hair salon. In that case, five ambulances responded. Once at the scene, firefighter/paramedics began treating patients with oxygen.
“If we had this vehicle a month ago, we would have used it to treat (those) patients exposed to carbon monoxide,” said Chief Borchardt.
Frisco Fire Department receives new medical ambulance bus
November 21, 2011
“FRISCO — Frisco firefighter/paramedics have a new tool that allows them to treat and transport as many as 20 patients at a time with a single vehicle. The Frisco Fire Department’s new Ambulance Bus can do the job of 10 of its current ambulances.
‘What caught my eye was the potential to use the vehicle as a much more efficient triage or first aid station,” said Chief Mack Borchardt. “This will be a great asset for major emergencies and natural disasters. But, we’ll also use the ambulance bus during significant special events, where we tend to treat more people at a time, particularly during extreme heat.'”
Click Here to read more about Frisco Fire Dept’s new MAB
Frisco Fire One of First Departments in Texas to Receive New Medical Ambulance Bus
November 21, 2011
Chief Borchardt says the idea for Ambulance Buses developed from the need
to evacuate or treat numerous patients at a time in hurricane prone areas,
but its value has been proven time and time
again during other emergencies.
Chief Borchardt adds the Ambulance Bus will come in handy whether
firefighter/paramedics are working a major concert, attended by tens of
thousands, at Pizza Hut Park; tending to a major accident, involving
multiple vehicles and resulting in numerous patients; or responding to the
call for ‘mutual aid’ from areas hit by tornadoes, hurricanes or
wildfires.
Frisco Fire Department receives new medical ambulance bus
November 18, 2011
“FRISCO — Frisco firefighter/paramedics have a new tool that allows them to treat and transport as many as 20 patients at a time with a single vehicle. The Frisco Fire Department’s new Ambulance Bus can do the job of 10 of its current ambulances.
‘What caught my eye was the potential to use the vehicle as a much more efficient triage or first aid station,” said Chief Mack Borchardt. “This will be a great asset for major emergencies and natural disasters. But, we’ll also use the ambulance bus during significant special events, where we tend to treat more people at a time, particularly during extreme heat.'”
Here Comes the Ambulance Bus (Frisco MAB)
November 18, 2011
Frisco is the first North Texas City to receive a giant, new tool to respond to large-scale emergencies and major events. And the city plans to share it with the rest of North Texas. It’s called an ambulance bus and it’s as big as it sounds.
The ambulance bus is like a hospital on wheels. The city said it does the job of 10 regular ambulances.
The bus can carry six paramedics and up to 20 patients on portable stretchers and gurneys with wheels. Seats fold out for patients that need to sit up rather than lie down. Wheelchairs can be secured to the floor.
“It’s completely reconfigurable to meet the needs of the mission,” said firefighter-paramedic Scott Vetterick. “It’s nice to know that it’s there and it’s available. We hope we don’t have to use it.”
A cardiac monitor/defibrillator and five wireless vital sign monitors allow paramedics to send critical information to their commander.
The bus is loaded with oxygen tanks to treat as many as 30 people. And when paramedics travel to help other cities, two-way radios let them communicate with hospitals across the region.
Medical Ambulance Bus Equipped to Treat Mass Casualties Ready for Use in Monmouth County
November 18, 2011
FREEHOLD, NJ – It’s the type of vehicle first responders hope they will rarely have to activate, but having the new “Medical Ambulance Bus” (MAB) on hand for large scale emergencies is a tremendous benefit to the area. The vehicle is designed to provide mass casualty incident response and transport, medical evacuations, on site triage, firefighter and EMS rehabilitation and medical support for long term emergency incidents. The MAB is the second in the state, and a collaborative effort by the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office – Office of Emergency Management, Neptune Township EMS and Shark River Hills first aid squad, the N.J. Medical Emergency Services Task Force and the Monmouth County Homeland Security Working Group. “This bus will be a huge resource across the region when it comes to providing emergency services,” said Sheriff Shaun Golden. “It can be activated during large scale fires, evacuations, bus, train or ferry accidents, and, weather related emergencies when there is a need to treat people at the scene or transport them to hospitals.”
School bus accident sends ECHS students to hospital (Morehead City MAB)
November 9, 2011
BEAUFORT — Nearly every fire and EMS unit east of Morehead City responded to a mass casualty incident in town about 3:35 p.m. Monday after a pickup truck struck a school bus at the intersection of Troon Way and Professional Park Drive.
“None of the students injuries are considered life-threatening,” Ms. Nance said Monday.
The impact resulted in six students being transported by ambulance on backboards, complaining of neck and back pain, Ms. Nance said. The Morehead City Medical Ambulance Bus transported another seven students.
Morehead City MAB – “School bus, small truck involved in crash”
November 7, 2011
A Monday afternoon crash involving a Carteret County school bus is being investigated by the Beaufort Police Department.
A bus carrying numerous students home from school was involved in a crash on Meeting Street in Beaufort. The bus was hit by a small truck exiting a residential neighborhood, according to preliminary information released by the Beaufort Police Department.
There were no serious injuries but there were multiple minor injuries, with those with injures being transported by rescue squads from Beaufort, Morehead City and Otway. The Morehead City Fire and EMS medical ambulance bus was used to transport many of the students, the release said.
Click here to go to the article
Sherman Fire Dept., TMC hold mass casualty drill – (**VIDEO**)
November 4, 2011
DENISON, TX – After the flooding of 2007 and the major bus accident in 2008, Sherman firefighters have firsthand experience dealing with mass casualties. But Thursday the Sherman Fire Department put a new tool to the test to help them save more lives when seconds count. Josh Stevenson has more on Thursday’s mock disaster drill.
Dozens of wounded people were laying on the cold pavement in Sherman Thursday morning being treated and loaded into emergency vehicles by first responders, but it’s not an emergency. It’s a mass casualty drill, a chance for Firefighters and Texoma Medical Center staffers to prepare for disaster.
****VIDEO**** can be seen here.
Murrysville Business Evacuated After Odor Sickens Workers
November 3, 2011
MURRYSVILLE, Pa. — Some sort of odor sickened people Thursday morning at a business in Murrysville, close to the Plum border, and several ambulances were called.Channel 4 Action News’ Sheldon Ingram reported that the Justifacts offices were evacuated on Logan Ferry Road, just off Route 286.
Sky 4 flew over the parking lot and showed video of people lined up at the Lower Kiski EMS Medical Evacuation and Rehab Vehicle, a large mobile treatment unit.
Morehead City MAB – “Emergency vehicle ready to serve”
November 2, 2011
MOREHEAD CITY — A new emergency response vehicle is ready to serve Carteret County and the surrounding area.
The vehicle can carry up to 12 patients on stretchers held by stainless steel racks along the sides of the bus and up to 10 patients in wheelchairs, which are locked into place along the runway. Or stations can be converted to provide seating for up to 23 ambulatory patients, Fulk said.
The ability to transport a large number of patients makes it ideal for responding to mass casualty incidents or to assist in situations such as evacuations and moving patients during a hurricane or disaster event.
But it also has many other potential uses.
The bus is self sustaining, with a generator and heating and air units on its roof. And with oxygen on board, refrigeration for cold storage of medications and compartments for a wide range of medical supplies, the bus is also capable of on-scene treatment such as triage at an accident scene, first aid at large community events, or rehabilitation for firefighters at a fire scene, such as cool down or checking their vitals.
“It’s designed to be used for so many purposes, mass casualty, evacuations, large-scale events, firefighter rehab or incident command,” he said.
F-M Ambulance has new West Fargo presence
November 2, 2011
West Fargo is home to a new F-M Ambulance location at 1111 Queen’s Way, off of 19th Avenue South.
A special open house is being planned for today (Wednesday, Nov. 2) for neighbors, the general public, or anyone else interested in viewing the facility.
A ribbon cutting conducted by the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce will take place at 10:30 a.m., followed by the open house from 4:30 to 7 p.m. which will provide the opportunity to tour the approximate 3,000 square foot building and enjoy refreshments.
The facility is comprised of mostly garage space used to house on duty ambulances for the West Fargo area. Also situated in the building is some of the larger disaster equipment, including an ambulance bus that can transport up to 22 people on stretchers; an equipment truck for carrying supplies to a mass casualty, i.e. airport incident, tornado, or flood related issues that could involve evacuating hospitals and nursing homes; as well as a couple of trailers housing equipment needed to respond to incidents where there are multiple patients.
Morehead City – “City unveils mobile medical ambulance”
October 23, 2011
MOREHEAD CITY — City emergency officials are better equipped to handle large-scale disasters with the arrival of an emergency response vehicle fully paid for with federal Homeland Security dollars.
The bus was designed with input from various emergency officials here, including Morehead City Fire Chief Wes Lail, Deputy Fire Chief Jamie Fulk and EMS Coordinator Randy Shaffer.
“We actually drew it out from the ground up,” said Mr. Shaffer. “We wanted to get the most bang for the buck. So why not be prepared?”
The bus carries 12 stretchers supported by stainless steel racks where patients can be treated. Stretcher stations can also be converted into seating for 24 if need be. The runway of the bus can accommodate up to 12 wheelchairs that can be locked in place for safety. An on-off ramp can be used to load mobile stretchers and an onboard wench can be used to assist in that process.
“We have 18 hours of oxygen for 16 patients and 12 portable canisters,” he said.
A stainless steel workstation includes a built-in refrigerator where fragile medications can be stored.
“Certainly our hope is the bus would never be needed for a mass-casualty situation, but there are others where it can be useful,” Mr. Shaffer said. “It could even be used for emergency room overrun if need be. We park it right there at the hospital and treat the least critical, clearing room for the ER to treat more seriously injured or sick.”
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NEW ORLEANS EMS RESPONDS TO TWO BUS COLLISION ON CCC
October 21, 2011
“New Orleans Emergency Medical Services responded to a bus collision after an RTA bus and a school bus collided this morning on the HOV inbound lane of the Crescent City Connection. The incident resulted in 21 adults and children reporting injuries. In response, New Orleans EMS deployed their Emergency Medical Surge Unit (EMSU-1) bus to treat and transport the multitude of patients. Fifteen adult patients were transported by EMSU-1 to local hospitals while two others were transported by NOEMS ambulance. All of the patients were considered to be stable and four patients refused transportation to the hospital.”
St. Francis to conduct full-scale evacuation exercise Thursday morning Read more: Shakopee Valley News – St Francis to conduct full scale evacuation exercise Thursday morning
October 10, 2011
This is really a comprehensive test that evaluates the hospital’s ability to move large numbers of non-ambulatory patients without benefit of elevators, and set up a staging area to move them to other hospitals,” said Lance Ross of the Emergency Preparedness Resource Group. “St. Francis will coordinate with local police and ambulance services from Allina, Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, Northfield, Burnsville and Ridgeview. Minneapolis Airport (MAC) and Minneapolis Fire will provide mass-casualty incident (MCI) buses to move the patients.”
Shakopee Valley News – St Francis to conduct full scale evacuation exercise Thursday morning
MAB Responds to “Worst Wildfire in TX History”: Bastrop Forest Fire
September 10, 2011
“On Monday, Sept. 5, the unified command of the Bastrop Complex Wildfire in Bastrop requested the asset through SETRAC and the AVFD responded along with the Montgomery County Hospital District. The AMBUS was staffed with an ambulance strike team leader and three paramedics from both AVFD and MCHD.”
“MPV 6-2 responded to the worst wildfire in Texas history, which has reportedly destroyed thousands of homes and killed four people. MPV 6-2 arrived on location and immediately established a rehab and medical aid station. While on deployment, MPV 6-2 assisted hundreds of fire suppression, law enforcement and utility staff with rehab, hydration and emergency medical aid. The crews worked in 12-hour shifts and two- to three-day operational deployments, providing 24-hour staffing of MPV 6-2 until demobilization by incident command.”
Read more about the MAB response here
“Sinai Hospital Named Partner with Baltimore Urban Area Security Initiative”
August 25, 2011
“Sinai Hospital was named a partner on a $2 million regional UASI grant which allowed the region to purchase an electronic patient tracking system, assets to support alternate care sites and two medical ambulance buses. These projects are managed via the Region III Health and Medical taskforce of which Sinai is an active member, as well as the lead for the alternate care site project. The Mayor expressed her appreciation for the dedication and commitment of the taskforce, recognizing the importance of building regional collaboration, preparedness and response capabilities relative to health and medical issues.”
“Medical Ambulance Buses: The recent tornadoes which struck the Midwest demonstrate the critical need for response and recovery capabilities for mass casualties. Ambulance buses can be deployed to major incidents where multiple patients are present or expected, and can be used in multiple ways that benefit both the pre-hospital transportation system as well as healthcare facilities in the Region. The units can act in a stationary capacity as a casualty clearing station, field hospital or treatment center or alternatively they can be used to transport multiple stretcher patients from scene to the next definitive point of care. These units can also be a significant asset in the event of a healthcare facility evacuation.”
Monmouth County MAB Press Release
August 19, 2011
“The MAB is the second in the state, and a collaborative effort by the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office – Office of Emergency Management, Neptune Township EMS and Shark River Hills first aid squad, the N.J. Medical Emergency Services Task Force and the Monmouth County Homeland Security Working Group. ‘This bus will be a huge resource across the region when it comes to providing emergency services,’ said Sheriff Shaun Golden. ‘It can be activated during large scale fires, evacuations, bus, train or ferry accidents, and, weather related emergencies when there is a need to treat people at the scene or transport them to hospitals.'”
“Sartin Services Selects the WVSM™ System for MAB™ Vehicles”
August 16, 2011
“After seeing the WVSM™ system demonstrated, and contacting some previous customers, Sartin Services decided the wireless transmitting patient worn monitoring system was perfect for these applications. Customers may choose from several options of displays within the bus, and since the WVSM™ device transmits Wi-Fi vital signs, EMS personnel can use the devices during triage and load patients in the bus while monitoring as many as 20 patients on one monitor screen.”
Click here to read more about Sartin Services and Athena GTX WVSM’s
Minot Residents Going Home
August 11, 2011
ValleyNewsLive.com recently ran a story on how the Fargo ND, MAB unit is always busy and willing to lend a hand. Original air date was July 26, 2011.
Athena GTX and MAB Demo Showing in Des Moines
July 18, 2011
“An Iowa company is helping equip a new super ambulance that will send patient information directly to emergency rooms during a major disaster.”
Athena GTX begins venture to equip mass-casualty buses
July 8, 2011
“Sartin Services Inc., a maker of specialized medical ambulance buses in North Carolina, recently partnered with Des Moines-based Athena GTX to equip its buses with wireless medical monitoring devices developed by Athena.
On July 18 and 19, the first such Athena-equipped bus will be displayed during an open house event at Athena’s Des Moines headquarters. The companies anticipate keen interest from emergency response agencies from throughout the Midwest to view the equipment”
Ambulance Bus Enhances Operations at MVC
June 28, 2011
“The biggest challenge was the hazardous roadway condition created by the flash freeze. Ice was so widespread and slippery that it was hard to even work and walk on the bridges. Access was another challenge. The five tractor trailers were entangled, and some cars were between the trucks or pinned between trucks and the guardrails.
One unique aspect of this operation was the use of a large medical ambulance bus (MAB), which LFD placed in service August 2010. It can transport 20 patients on backboards or a mix of patients on backboards and seats. As the incident progressed, it was decided that because other incidents would likely occur around the city–and because most of the remaining patients were ambulatory or just wanted to be examined at the hospital–the MAB would be useful. It could eliminate the need to call additional ambulances to the scene.
The MAB responded with a driver and a load master, both of whom are EMT certified. EMS providers from Rescue 1 and Engine 8 were assigned to load the bus and provide patient care. When the MAB arrived, eight patients were loaded onto the bus for transport to a hospital. Rescue 1 and Engine 8 followed the MAB to the hospital to pick up their personnel to return to service.”
Click Here to read the entire article in JEMS magazine.
“Sherman city council discusses taxes” and the Sherman Fire Dept MAB
June 12, 2011
“In addition the council approved a request from Sherman Fire Chief Jeff Jones for execution of an Interlocal Cooperation Contract between the city and the North Central Texas Trauma Regional Advisory Council for participation in an AmBus Project. Jones said several cities in Texas would be getting the multipatient ambulance bus and Sherman was one of the first to be asked to host the vehicle. Under the agreement, the state would buy the vehicle and then turn it over to the city of Sherman. The city would house it, keep it in good working order and staff it should the need arise. Jones said if the state called and wanted to send the bus into a disaster area, the city would get the option of agreeing or not. The city also has the option of getting out of the deal with 30 days notice. The city would simply have to let the state know it wants to return the vehicle.
Jones said the bus can house from 16 to 20 patients at a time and is not the type of vehicle that will be routinely responding to house fires or simple wrecks. It will be reserved for disasters like the bus crash several years ago. He said, it will also be used for public education. Should the city receive a call from the state asking that the bus be deployed, the city would staff it with city employees and then be repaid for their salaries. The state would then also pay for the overtime paid to those employees who fill in for the ones who are deployed.”
PA – Region 13 MAB – Press Release
May 16, 2011
Lower Kiski is the first in PA to receive a MAB bus. They were chosen for several reasons: staffing, location and record.
“The specialized bus will help local emergency crews handle multi-casualty wrecks, domestic disasters or even terrorism. The bus will handle 18 stretcher patients. It will also have basic medical monitors, medical oxygen, tie-downs on the walls for hospital equipment, and a small kitchen and bathroom.”
Armstrong rescue unit to get innovative disaster vehicle – Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Pictures from the MCI (Mass Casualty Incident) Drill with MAB at West Forsyth High School
May 1, 2011
The Guilford County MAB bus, manufactured by Sartin Services in Archdale, NC, was used in a mass casualty drill in Winston Salem, NC.
“The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Emergency Management Office organized the drill so that 125 response teams from the area could practice what they would do if a natural disaster struck nearby.”
“Powdery substance shuts down hotel in N.O. East”
April 14, 2011
“One of the hotel workers, in white, from the Holiday Inn Express Hotel in eastern New Orleans, walks off of a hazmat bus as he and his coworkers go into Touro Infirmary on Prytania Street in New Orleans on Tuesday, April 12, 2011. A hotel employee complained of a rash on her body after opening an envelope that contained a powdery substance.”
See photos here:
For more information and video, CLICK HERE:
Wake County – “Big wreck, big ambulance”
January 22, 2011
“Wake County EMS used its new EVAC-1 ambulance to carry dozens of patients away from a school bus crash last month in Cary.
It was a bitterly cold morning last month when three school buses traveling from Asheboro rear-ended one another on U.S. 64 in Cary.
More than 100 children were aboard and at least 25 with minor injuries needed to be taken to hospitals.”
Read more about the accident here: