Seattle Sun Newspaper - Vol. 7, Issue 6, June 2003
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HEALTHY LIVING BRIEFS:
Disaster drill at NW Hospital
The injuries were simulated, but the work done by medical staff was serious business as Northwest Hospital participated in Topoff 2, a nationwide disaster preparation drill on Monday, May 12.
About 70 hospital staffers, working with Army reservists from Fort Lawton's 349th Chemical Company, handled a stream of "casualties," which arrived at various times during the afternoon, said Suzie Beerman, Northwest Hospital spokeswoman.
These mock victims of the simulated detonation of a nuclear bomb were each assigned unique scenarios, she said. Some were severely injured, others were mildly injured, but contaminated with radiation from the blast. "Our nurses triaged them according to whether or not they were contaminated and the extent of their injuries," Beerman said.
To alert neighbors about the drill, fliers were sent to 3,000 businesses and homes within a half-mile of the hospital. Beerman and other hospital staff were also on site to explain the potentially frightening scene to onlookers. "If you came [by the hospital's parking lot], you would see tents, military people in uniform, people in hazardous material suits, people on gurneys," she said.
Northwest Hospital, one of 14 participating medical facilities in the Puget Sound area, received high marks for its performance in the drill. "I am so proud and impressed by the caliber, excellence, and intelligence of our staff," said Mary Filipovic, who played the role of operations chief.
Trike race, fun run for tots
The Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center will host the following events for children:
On Thursday, June 5, the center will hold a Ravenna Fun Run for Tots (ages 3-6). The event, which begins at 6 p.m., is a 1k trot with racing numbers, warm-ups and stretches, awards, treats, prizes and surprises. The cost to participate is $15 per child.
On Wednesday, June 25, the center will hold its third annual 1k Tike 'N' Trike Time Trials for kids, ages 3-5. The event, which begins at 6:30 p.m., features both a trike division and a training wheels division. The cost to participate is $15 per child. Helmet required.
The community center is located at 6535 Ravenna Ave. NE. For details, call 684-7534.