TEST OF PLANS IN EMERGENCY

Southland Times, Issue 24154, 17 June 1940, Page 9

TEST OF PLANS IN EMERGENCY

Hospital Evacuated For Casualties FIRST EXPERIMENT IN NEW ZEALAND (United Press Association) NEW PLYMOUTH, June 16. Plans to establish emergency clearing stations for first aid treatment and to evacuate tfie New Plymouth hospital patients to make room for casualties were tested in a full dress rehearsal this morning. It is believed to be the first time such a comprehensive experiment has been undertaken in New Zealand. Members of the New Plymouth Men’s Division of the Order of St. John, five Boy Scout troops, a voluntary aid detachment and the hospital authorities co-operated in the undertaking from which much valuable information about timing and general organization was obtained. The plan was designed to meet a situation arising from an earthquake, railway disaster or raid on the town by an enemy. Though some defects were discovered in the scheme under practical test the authorities expressed themselves as well satisfied with the experiment and said they were confident that the data obtained would serve in perfecting and strengthening the emergency organization. All told, probably 200 individuals took part in the surprise trial and had assembled within half an hour of the warning. Fifty patients were taped for evacuation. and everything was ready to replace them with 50 casualties as the ambulances arrived with the casualties. Boy Scouts, acting as patients who could be moved, were taken to an emergency hospital at the high school where everything was ready for their reception.