June 19, 2009

VCU Medical Center and Surry Power Plant undergo radiation training exercise

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Photos by Melissa Gordon
VCU Communications and Public Relations

Staff members in the Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center’s Department of Emergency Medicine, the Office of Environmental Health and Safety and Surry Power Plant participated in a radiation training exercise this week and were evaluated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA.

The purpose of the exercise was to ensure the health system’s capability of safely providing care to victims during a radiation event. The ED staff members undergo 16 hours of decontamination and radiation training every year.

Just outside of the Emergency Department, staff members from the ED check a mock patient from Surry Power Plant to determine whether or not to bring the patient indoors.
Just outside of the Emergency Department, staff members from the ED check a mock patient from Surry Power Plant to determine whether or not to bring the patient indoors.


Inside the ED, the team provides medical care to the patient prior to decontamination while A FEMA representative takes notes and evaluates the staff
Inside the ED, the team provides medical care to the patient prior to decontamination while A FEMA representative takes notes and evaluates the staff