MDA Part of a Multi-Casualty Incident (MCI) Drill in the Philippines

One of Israeli MDA (Magen David Adom)'s ambulances from the Safed Region in action on the snowy day in the Galilee.

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Last week, delegation members of Magen David Adom arrived in the Philippines in order to conduct a joint drill and exchange knowledge with the Philippine Red Cross, as well as learn how the organization responds to multi-casualty incidents. MDA Director General, Eli Bin: "I support any activity that entails other EMS bodies learning from knowledge that has accumulated within Magen David Adom and I commend the worldwide experience gained in providing devoted care to those in need."

Following Typhoon "Haiyan", the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) approached Magen David Adom requesting its assistance with forming new capabilities in the field of emergency and pre-hospital medicine. Training of Emergency Medicine Technicians Trainers and preparedness and response to multi-casualty incidents are two fields that are of high priority to the PRC and in which MDA is considered an expert. As part of the activity, which was held with the support of the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), EMTs and trainers of EMTs were trained based on the new format. In addition, as part of a workshop, a new protocol was written for response to multi-casualty incidents. The operations and procedures mentioned in the protocol were executed in an elaborate drill simulating an MCI in Manila, capital of the Philippines.

The concluding drill simulated a car accident between a local bus, a truck and a private vehicle. 70 simulated victims participated in the drill as well as 150 team members, 13 ambulances from 9 different branches, as well as fire trucks. Additionally, the drill included volunteers from the community and the Philippine motorcyclists' club who acted as first responders on the scene.

The drill, which was the most complex simulation ever organized by the Red Cross, required cooperation between employees and volunteers from different branches, who for the first time ever, experienced responding to an MCI according to the new protocol. Various units within the PRC, who've taken part in the writing of the protocol, had the chance to implement it for the first time.

PRC Chairman, Senator Richard Gordon, expressed his gratitude towards Magen David Adom for its assistance in the process and stated that the standard set by the drill will be the threshold for the Red Cross' commitment to the community at a time of emergency, and should be adopted throughout the country.

MDA Director General, Eli Bin: "Magen David Adom is part of the international movement of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, and is always willing to lend a helping hand anywhere in the world. Responding to MCIs has unfortunately turned into MDA's expertise over the years. We ensure to share the knowledge and experience we've acquired in the field wherever there's a need for saving lives. The Philippines require a strong system for crisis response. We are happy to contribute from our knowledge for the purpose of improving and strengthening the emergency medicine system in the Philippines. We do everything in our power to assists rescue forces in the country to develop and acquire lifesaving skills. I support any activity that entails other EMS professionals learning from knowledge that has accumulated within Magen David Adom, and I commend the worldwide experience gained in providing devoted care to those in need."