[PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE]

Magen David Adom (MDA) two weeks ago sent a delegation to Ecuador to use its vast knowledge and experience to assist in training and preparing for a mass casualty incident (MCI) in that country. Persons representing the Ecuador Ministry of Health took part in the training event, which simulated a mass call-up of emergency medical service personnel to respond to a mass casualty incident.

The delegation and participation in the event was coordinated with Israel Foreign Ministry officials and the ministry’s MASHAV program. This training event was part of the lessons learned from the earthquake that hit that country in April of this year.

The training event simulated a building collapse with 70 victims trapped under the rubble. The local Red Cross built a special facility in Ecuador which mimicked true conditions to permit getting a real feel for extrication in such a catastrophe.

Among those participating was Santiago Tarapuez, a senior advisor to the Health Minister as well as the Ministry’s District Coordinator Dr. Manuel Minaya, who is responsible for addressing disasters in the country. Also present were the Israeli Ambassador in Quito, Edwin Yabu, Chairman of the MDA Executive Committee Dr. Noam Bloom, police and military officials and representatives of the Bolivian and Argentinian Embassies as well as other honored guests.

This was the first time that all components of that country’s pre-hospital medical care agencies took part in such a drill in that country and it attracted great interest.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem/Photo Credit: MDA Spokesman Unit)