Critical Response Training Prepares First Responders for Future Emergencies

Black Hills Life Flight, Hot Springs Ambulance, and other agencies prepare for real-life emergencies with simulated scenario

HOT SPRINGS, SD - June 22, 2026 - Hot Springs-based Black Hills Life Flight 7 emergency air medical service and Hot Springs Ambulance Service coordinated a mass casualty incident (MCI) training on June 20 with Fall River County Dispatch Center, Hot Springs Volunteer Fire Department, Hot Springs Police Department, Edgemont Volunteer Fire Department, Angostura Rural Volunteer Fire Department, and Minnekahta Volunteer Fire Department. By working through a realistic, fast-moving scenario, approximately 30 representatives from participating agencies assessed their abilities in patient triage, scene management, landing zone coordination, medical transport processes, and hazardous material operations.

In the drill scenario, responders practiced procedures for a two-vehicle car accident with six patients and a simulated fuel spill. The exercise was designed to challenge responders with a complex incident requiring coordination between multiple agencies while managing both patient care and a potential HAZMAT situation.

"Exercises such as this provide an opportunity for agencies to train together in a realistic yet controlled environment while identifying both strengths and areas for improvement," said Black Hills Life Flight 7 Paramedic Matt Lordino. "Drills like this also allow emergency responders to build and strengthen relationships between organizations. When multiple agencies are familiar with one another and have trained together, they are better prepared to work seamlessly during real world emergencies. This collaboration enhances the overall emergency response capability of the county and helps ensure the best possible outcome for the residents of Fall River County when a large-scale incident occurs."

Participants practiced hazard recognition and HAZMAT identification, patient triage, vehicle extrication, resource management, interagency communication, and the coordination of air medical transport. The scenario also emphasized operating with limited resources, which is a common challenge for rural emergency responders.

"This drill was important to the responders of this community to aid in the camaraderie of working together with the same goal of getting everyone out, including ourselves," said Hot Springs Ambulance Service Supervisor and Paramedic Cheyenne Erwin. "In this county, MCIs are low frequency, high risk events, making it important to train on them together, find the kinks now, and do better in the future."

Black Hills Life Flight routinely engages in joint training with other first responders and local agencies to ensure readiness for any emergency and to adapt to evolving challenges. These collaborative exercises reinforce best practices and help build the muscle memory crews rely on when time is critical.