Today GERMS participated in Operation Capital Shield, held on the Georgetown University Hospital campus. The drill was designed to test the response of emergency medical services at GUH, and within the city at large. GERMS sent drill evaluators, mock victims, moulage artists, simulation terrorists, and one ambulance and crew to the hospital to participate. In addition, GERMS met an incoming U.S. Air Force helicopter with six victims onboard. Moulage artists began arriving at GUH as early as 6:00am to prepare for volunteer victims who arrived at 7:00am. The drill began officially at 9:00am with a "Code Orange Level II" alert being sent out by pager. At 10:50, the medevac helicopter touched down at the Georgetown helipad and by 11:15, all patients had been triaged and assessed. Many went to the operating rooms, and one woman went to Labor & Delivery!
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| U.S. Air Force Huey touching down at GUH. |
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| U.S. Air Force helicopter on approach to GUH. |
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| Triage nurse instructing a patient. |
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| Modified triage area outside main Emergency Department entrance. |
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| GERMS crew greet arriving U.S. military "victims" |
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| "Victims" are loaded into the back of Unit 8 for transport to GUH. |
(Special thanks to Amy Chambliss, who took all of the photographs found here!)
