09/06/2025
Ocean Beach Health joined forces with the Ilwaco Fire Department to conduct a full-scale trauma drill, testing our ability to respond to a serious neurological injury occurring inside the hospital.
The simulated scenario involved a patient who suffered a catastrophic fall from a ladder in the hospital’s front lobby. Staff and fire crews worked side by side — from the first assessment and stabilization at the scene, through transport to the CT scanner and trauma room, to advanced airway intervention and simulated transfer to a higher-level trauma center.
“This kind of training is vital,” said Will Wallace, Clinical Nurse Manager of the Emergency Department. “By working closely with Ilwaco Fire, our staff gain the confidence and muscle memory they need to act quickly and safely. When a real emergency happens, there’s no pause button — we have to be ready to give our patients the very best care from the very first moment.”
The exercise not only strengthened teamwork between pre-hospital responders and hospital clinicians, but also reinforced Ocean Beach Health’s mission of providing compassionate, patient-focused care for our community.
