Mock evacuation draws on community partnerships
Friday, October 28, 2005 -- Craig Anderson
A mock evacuation with high school students posing as residents revealed the unique risks involved in transferring seniors – many with cognitive difficulties - during a crisis situation.

The exercise, at Caressant Care Courtland in Norfolk County, was illuminating both for the staff and the teenaged participants, says Michelle Hough, administrator.

“They weren’t an easy bunch to evacuate,” says Michelle, of the thirty who posed as residents and were given impeding clothing (including goggles and heavy gloves) to mimic some of the physiological effects of ageing and dementia-induced cognitive impairment.

The students, from the Delhi District Secondary School and the Valley Heights Secondary School, were prepped for the experience by the Alzheimer’s society, one of the home’s strongest partners, says Michelle. EMS and the Courtland fire department ran through a number of possible scenarios both during and after the evacuation. This was the second experimental evacuation, says Michelle, but with more community partners involved a better overall picture of the challenges of such an evacuation was had.

The most likely scenario, says Michelle, is residents “eloping” or wandering – especially from a triage site - after being evacuated. Lower staffing numbers at night also pose a problem for a quick and orderly evacuation. Members of the fire department concluded that an evacuation commander – an appointee on each shift acting to communicate quickly with the fire department and EMS during a crisis event – was a necessity.

“I don’t think anyone is really ever ready for an evacuation,” says Michelle. Caressant Care Courtland, a 36 year old home, has a pre-existing “Internal Disaster Plan,” and staff members undergo periodic in-services to review disaster protocols. This mock evacuation, says Michelle, revealed how “fortunate” the home is to have community partners within a short distance of the home.

In a post-evacuation scenario, residents would be temporarily housed at the Tilsonburg hospital (less than a kilometer away), local schools, or at other area nursing homes. For the latter, Caressant Courtland would provide similar services if they faced an evacuation crisis.

“We’re very fortunate,” says Michelle, adding that the close proximity of the fire department assures a quick response time of four minutes.

The involvement of area high school students – enabling them to become more familiar with the home and senior’s issues in general – was an important part of the mock evacuation, says Michelle, who was impressed with their acting skills during the event.

“They did enjoy it,” she says. “It was important for them to come in and see our residence. And our staff we’re very patient and diligent with them during the evacuation. Despite the sense of alarm they maintained a calm manner and provided clear direction.”