by Melissa Newland
Emergency crews converged on Bayside Village for a realistic disaster drill designed to test how local agencies respond when communication, coordination and quick decision-making matter most. The full-scale exercise simulated a serious incident that required multiple departments to work together from the first emergency call through patient transport and hospital response. The drill took place Thursday, Aug. 27, beginning at approximately 4:30 p.m. The scenario centered on a simulated gas explosion and included road closures, evacuation needs, triage operations and coordinated transport of injured patients to Baraga County Memorial Hospital. The exercise brought together L’Anse Fire Department, the L’Anse Police Department, Bay EMS, the Baraga County Sheriff’s Office, Michigan State Police, Baraga Police Department, Baraga Fire Department, Bayside Village, Baraga County Memorial Hospital, Pelkie EMS, Baraga County Emergency Management and NRCC. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.