Members of the Cole County EMS department were called to assist at the scene of Monday's Amtrak derailment in Chariton County.
According to a news release from EMS Chief Eric Hoy, at approximately 2:55 p.m., they received a request from the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) for mutual-aid for the mass-casualty incident.
Two advanced-life support ambulances, both staffed with three Cole County EMS employees, a chief officer and a resident physician were dispatched to the incident. While in route, the Cole County EMS units formed a task force with additional ambulances and personnel from Boone Health, Osage Ambulance District, MU Health Ambulance and an attending physician from MU Health.
Upon arrival, Cole County EMS units were assigned to the triage center at the high school in Mendon. EMS personnel assisted the resident physician with performing patient care for train passengers at the triage center. Additional ambulances from the task force assisted with transporting patients from local hospitals around Chariton County to more advanced care in Columbia.
The Cole County EMS units were released from the incident at 6 p.m. and arrived back in Cole County shortly before 8 p.m. During the task force deployment, additional Cole County EMS personnel were re-called to staff reserve ambulances and maintain coverage in Cole County.
See also:
3 killed, dozens hurt in Amtrak train crash in Missouri