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16 -- PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, October 27, 1987 Mock fire at hospital proves Where there's smoke, there's fire, right? In most cases, yes, but not at Community Memorial Hospital last Wednesday afternoon, where Hollywood smoke machines pumped out a wing-full of the smokey stuff, for a hospital fire drill... | It was the second time the machine was used for hospital drills. The first time was just more than a year ago, September 16, 1986. Both fire drills were contained in the obstetrics wing of the hospital. Organizers are calling this year's drill more successful, with faster evacuation of "patients" (hospital staff acting as hysterical victims), and better all-round co-ordination. The "fire" was started by a woman who had been in labour for 24 hours and wanted a cigarette. Because smoking is outlawed in most parts of the hospital, she but- ted it in a styrofoam cup, hid the evidence, and dozed off. A fire developed, and at 2:45 a.m., the fire department was notified, and nursing staff went into action. Although the "fire" was noticed at Two members of the OB nursing staff gently, but hurriedly, take a patient out of bed during the fire drill last Wednesday. (LESS PROPERLY Joyce Gibson played the pregnant woman who supposedly set the hospital fire ---- and who didn't survive, despite firefighter's best ef- forts. But apparently, the "baby" (a pillow) made it through. Nursing staff has Right | Stuff for fire evacuation | 2:45 a.m., the actual re-enactment took place Wednesday at 2:45 p.m. | The whole idea was to practise fire procedures during the early hours, when a smaller staff is working in the building. Taking his cue from the "'early hour," Scugog Fire Captain Don Steele purposely delayed firefighters' arrival by 15 minutes, simulating the extra time it takes for volunteers to get to the scene of a fire at night. Ambulance attendants also par- ticipated in the fire drill, as did representatives from the Ministry of Health, on hand to analyze the effec- tiveness of the procedures, along with several hpspital staff members--all wearing white hard- hats during the 25 minute exercise. The actual evacuation of patients took only five minutes, even faster than last year, when patients were scattered in various places, inside and outside the hospital as they were evacuated. Even though the fire at the hospital last Wednesday was only This year, nursing staff simply took "patients" to the relative safe- ~ ty outside the fire door of the wing, where they could be transported to emergency, or elsewhere by other staff. "They did an excellent job, a lot better than last year," commented Gail Stewart, administrative secretary at the hospital. A new twist to the proceedings was having nurses place flourescent magnetic sirips on doorways of rooms they had already evacuated. "We initiated that from last year, so they wouldn't waste time going back in,"" Mrs. Stewart explained. Even though firefighters would check those rooms anyways, regardless of the strips, Mrs. Stewart said, '"We had to have staff know when a room was empty." After the drill was over, par- ticipants gathered for a wrap-up session, where the effort was ~ discussed by all involyed. i a drill, the acting on the part of "patients" (staff) was spookily real. Above, the strain shows on the nurse's face. A personal gift for Christmas! 60 WATER STREET - PORT PERRY - 985-8821 Thursday Evening Appointments still Available. 1