Fort Smith, Ark. – Firefighters from the Fort Smith Fire Department recently joined forces with regional emergency services and healthcare students for an intensive Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) training hosted by Baptist Health in partnership with the UAMS West Regional Campus – Fort Smith.
The joint training exercise, held earlier this month, featured a realistic scenario involving a simulated bus crash with teenage passengers. The event was designed to provide hands-on experience in managing large-scale emergencies and coordinating efforts among multiple response teams.
Participants included local firefighters, EMS personnel, and students from Baptist Health’s Caring Teen program and the UAMS MASH (Medical Applications of Science for Health) program. The collaboration allowed both seasoned professionals and future medical workers to engage in realistic, high-pressure simulations in a controlled environment.
“This was a rare and valuable opportunity to train alongside multiple agencies and future healthcare providers,” said a spokesperson for the Fort Smith Fire Department. “While we hope never to encounter such a tragedy in real life, preparation is key to saving lives when every second counts.”
The department expressed gratitude to Baptist Health, UAMS, and all participating organizations for facilitating the event and supporting interagency preparedness.