O’Connor Hospital to Run Full-Scale Test of Incident Command System

Patients, families and visitors of O’Connor Hospital may notice unusual activity as the hospital tests its mass casualty plans and procedures on Saturday.

The purpose of this exercise is designed to test the hospital’s incident command system as well as the medical surge capability above the normal emergency department census.

From 10 a.m.-1 p.m., O’Connor, in conjunction with many first responder units and several local and county agencies in Delaware County will conduct the exercise that is designed to involve a bus and tractor trailer accident. The drill will start on Page Avenue and follow Delaware Avenue to the O’Connor Hospital Emergency Department.

Traffic in this area may be temporarily affected, and will be controlled by the Delhi Police Department and Delhi Fire Police at the scene and along the response route.

Volunteers from O’Connor, SUNY Delhi and Delaware Academy have agreed to act as patients for this drill which will test the facilities response and communication plans.

Other entities assisting O’Connor with the exercise include the Bloomville and Meridale Fire Departments, Delhi Village Police, New York State Police, Delaware County Sheriff’s Department, Village of Delhi, NYS Department of Health and Delaware County Highway Department.