VASNHS partnering with Nellis AFB to conduct Emergency Medical Exercise

NORTH LAS VEGAS, Nev. — VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System, Nellis Air Force Base and community emergency services are teaming up to conduct Operation Dark Cloud, an emergency medical exercise, from May 9-11, 2023. This full-scale exercise is being led by VASNHS and hosted at Nellis Air Force Base with support from local emergency services, hospitals, and transportation agencies.

Operation Dark Cloud begins with a tabletop exercise for logistical planning after a simulated disaster on May 9. After coordinating with community players, simulated patients will arrive on Nellis Air Force Base on May 11 at 11 a.m. to be assessed and transported to identified National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) hospitals throughout Clark County.

This exercise was developed to test and evaluate the activation of Southern Nevada’s patient reception capabilities. It integrates NDMS medical facilities’ ability to identify and report available beds, perform patient reception, and transportation of patients in real time.

VASNHS emergency management conducts a full-scale exercise with supporting partners, according to the Federal Coordinating Center plan, at least once every three years. “These exercises test interoperability between agencies and ensure efficient and coordinated response to emergency scenarios,” said Felix Acevedo Jr., VASNHS Emergency Manager. “It’s critical that we are able to work together to respond to situations that impact our community; whether they are civilian, military, or Veteran.”

John Archiquette, Public Affairs Specialist

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