On Monday morning, July 23rd, over 30 youths (which included about 15 from The Homestead neighborhood and scouts from Troop 114 and Packs 405 and 900... all from Northern Carrollton area) played the part of 'victims/patients' in Children's Medical Center of Dallas emergency disaster preparation drills.  Such drills are performed to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of their preparedness programs.

The story line of the disaster drill: a tornado struck down at a school.  The kids were 'moulaged' (dressed up with fake blood, cuts, bone fractures, bruisings, burns, etc) to mimick various levels of injuries sustained, and were to 'act out' their injuries as emergency crews responded.  They even had a 'hysterical mom' to add further 'realism' into the mix.

The emergency teams ascertained the situation, categorized each of the 'injured' determined courses of treatment for each, and followed through all the way to the ER.  The staff gained valuable experience and information to help better prepare them for real-life situations.  The kids enjoyed being 'moulaged', riding in the ambulances, and learned a lot about what happens in such situations. 

Lanie St. Claire-Washington is the center's Disaster Coordinator who organized the event.  She also took the time to give a tour of both Children's and Parkland Hospitals afterwards, and discussed opportunities available in the medical profession to the youth volunteers.  They all were served lunch as a thank you by the center as well  (note: Children's Medical Center is the only level 1 trauma unit in Texas and the surrounding southern states).

It was definitely a unique and great opportunity to be able to help the city, county, and hospital in their emergency response plans and preparations!

-John Waida, Pack 405 and Troop 114 adult leader, and resident of The Homestead neighborhood