While the nation sleeps

That preparation matters because when calls do come in, they are often critical.

"Most of the things that you can do in the ER, we can do in the back of this truck," said Chayse Lyon, who is a fire captain and a paramedic. Imaging, such as CT or MRI scans, is the primary exception. Lyon and his peers can pack wounds, reverse allergic reactions, treat hypothermia with warmed IVs, clear airways via suction, perform a tracheotomy and restart a heart. If time is too short to find a vein, they can drill directly into the bone marrow to administer fluids in seconds.

Because ORNL has nuclear facilities, the team maintains a full complement of hazmat and radiation decontamination supplies, supported by an in-depth protocol book that serves as a reference for nearly any situation.