Multiple public safety organizations ranging from the Hibbing Fire Department to area ambulance services to the Hibbing and Virginia hospitals participated in a training exercise held Wednesday, September 25, at the Range Regional Airport in Hibbing. The exercise involved a passenger plane crash involving 40 victims. Responding fire personnel had to deal with a simulated fire while medical crews had to triage and transport the patients. The emergency departments at the hospitals were also put on standby to handle the influx of crash victims. According to Hibbing EMS Coordinator Kristi McCormick, a number of lessons were learned from the exercise. “The unified command system involving multiple responders worked well,” said McCormick. “Pre-planning for an event like this is also extremely helpful.” McCormick also credited the various organizations which took part. “Nursing students, members of the Minnesota Wilderness NA3HL hockey team, and others volunteered to be victims,” she said. Nearly 20 groups participated and the Pizza Ranch in Hibbing provided food after the drill concluded.
