Regional Resources
There are a variety of resources available to support EMS during a mass casualty incident (MCI) in Region II. They include communicaitons, patient care and transportation support and are available by contacting Region II (Worcester) CMED when an MCI is declared.
Communications Vehicles
Communication vehicles are available upon request through CMED for MCI communications support.
Regional Mass Casualty Support Units (RMCSU)
The Regional Mass Casualty Support Units are strategically located in Gardner, Oxford, Southbridge, and Sterling. Each unit provides supplemental medical and communications resources for Mass Casualty Incidents within EMS Region II. The RMCSUs must be activated through CMED.
Download the PowerPoint slides for detailed information about the Regional Mass Casualty Support Units. (Be sure to read the notes section for each slide.)
AmbuBus
Funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Central Region Homeland Security Council worked with the Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) to retrofit one of the WRTA’s older model buses for BLS level MCI transports and skilled nursing and hospital evacuations. The AmbuBus is equipped with medical supplies to care for 12 patients on cots and another 8 to 10 ambulatory patients. The AmbuBus may be requested for deployment through CMED.
Contact Dave Pederzani, CMED Supervisor at (508) 854-0111 to reserve the AmbuBus for drills and special events.
Check out the AmbuBus Course on our LMS to learn more!
Disaster Communications trailer
- Mobile EMS Command Post with Reeves ICP Shelter with inside lighting and heat/AC.
- Onboard generator with multiple electrical outlets
- Multiple mobile radios
- Ability to patch different frequencies together
- 25 tri-band' antenna to boost radio transmissions
- Recorded radio transmissions
- Satellite phone
The trailer has the same radio equipment as the communications vehicles, but also contains an incident command tent for managing communications during an extended MCI or evacuation. CMEMSC staff will determine if this unit is deployed.
Mobile Emergency Support Shelter
This Western Shelter™ serves as a temporary all-hazards emergency field facility. It’s intended for critical care treatment and housing surge patients, evacuees, and individuals displaced by power failures. Its 3 tent configuration (same as those used by Federal Disaster Medical Teams) features:
- Climate control (heat/AC)
- Shower facilities
- Water handling equipment
- Generators
- Lighting
- Vestibule connectors
- Hard floor and vinyl floor (for uneven terrain use)
- Durability to withstand winds up to 50 mph
The shelter is pre-packaged and portable in two large trailers, containing one Gatekeeper (20) 20x20 octagon tent and two Gatekeeper (1935) 19x35 stretched octagons. Once the shelter is assembled on scene, the trailers can be connected to the tents for storage or as command and control facilities.
Auxiliary Support Unit (ASU)
An Auxiliary Support Unit (ASU) is located in Leominster and ready for rapid deployment to replenish key supplies. CMEMSC staff will determine if this unit is deployed.
Auxiliary Support Unit (ASU)
Region II MCI Plan (awaiting MDPH approval) ♦ MA EMS MCI Plan (approved 1/16/2016)
New MDPH Mobile App!
Show Me for Emergencies is a free mobile app available at both iTunes & Google Play. Intended for public health, First Responders, and others tasked with the challenge of communicating with individuals from various backgrounds during an emergency such as evacuation.
Helpful Sites
UMass Disaster Medicine Fellowship
Region II Health and Medical Coaltion
*Partnership for the Enhancement of Regional Preparedness
The Partnership for the Enhancement of Regional Preparedness (PERP) grant is designed to enhance regional collective capacity to share resources and respond to public health and medical threats and emergencies throughout Region 2.
Helpful Documents
ICS, EMS Org charts
Recommendations of the Standing Committee on Multiple Casualty Incident Planning and Evaluation Emergency Medical Care Advisory Board
MCI Planning Guide
Recommendations of the Standing Committee on Multiple Casualty Incident Planning and Evaluation Emergency Medical Care Advisory Board
MA CBR/PPE Strategy
OSHA Hazmat
This publication provides a general overview of a particular standards-related topic. This publication does not alter or determine compliance responsibilities which are set forth in OSHA standards, and the Occupational Safety and Health Act.
2020 Emergency Response Guidebook
A guidebook for first responders during the initial phase of a Dangerous Goods/Hazardous Materials Transportation Incident. This book is updated every 4 years.