{"id":8086,"date":"2024-09-28T20:30:00","date_gmt":"2024-09-28T20:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/itsveterans.com\/?p=8086"},"modified":"2024-09-28T20:30:00","modified_gmt":"2024-09-28T20:30:00","slug":"simulations-at-muskegon-clinic-could-save-lives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/itsveterans.com\/?p=8086","title":{"rendered":"Simulations at Muskegon clinic could save lives"},"content":{"rendered":"

Originally published:<\/strong> 2024-09-28T20:30:00+00:00. Historical source article: benefits, rules, amounts and deadlines may have changed. Check the official source for current information.<\/p>\n

Battle Creek VA\u2019s<\/a> Emergency Management Service conducted a series of active threat simulations at the Muskegon VA Clinic on August 30 to strengthen health care providers\u2019 and local emergency responders\u2019 ability reacting to adverse situations by protecting VA staff and Veterans they serve.<\/p>\n

The Muskegon VA Clinic offers primary care and specialty health services, including mental health services, nutritional counseling, laboratory services, treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), an eye care program and more.<\/p>\n

\u201cActive threat trainings are crucial for staff because they prepare everyone to respond effectively in a real-life emergency situation,\u201d said Coston Smauley, Battle Creek VA facility emergency manager. \u201cThese trainings help build muscle memory, reduce panic and ensure all staff members understand their roles and responsibilities during a crisis. By conducting these drills, we can work to identify and address any opportunities for improvement in plans while ensuring that staff are better equipped to protect themselves and others.\u201d<\/p>\n

Can save lives<\/h2>\n

Knowing how to properly react in a situation\u2014such as being inside a building where an active shooter or threat is present\u2014is paramount to saving lives, whether it happens at work or in a separate public space. The various threat simulations that were conducted throughout the afternoon provided law enforcement from Michigan State Police and local emergency responders a chance to familiarize themselves with the Muskegon clinic, which is new and has only been in operation for two months.<\/p>\n

\u201cConducting this training at our new Muskegon location is essential because it helps to ensure that all staff members are familiar with the new layout of the clinic,\u201d said Smauley. \u201cNew environments can present unexpected challenges, and trainings like these help our staff to understand how to navigate these challenges during a crisis.\u201d<\/p>\n

Security personnel went through four scenarios with the clinic staff using simulated weapons. The training included three important procedures:<\/p>\n