DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital Holds Disaster Drill

Commerce, Mich. May 17, 2013—DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital, one of nine hospitals and institutes operated by the Detroit Medical Center (DMC), held an emergency disaster drill on their campus in Commerce Township, Mich. on Wednesday.

DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital staff as well as volunteers, Commerce Township Fire Department, Wixom Fire Department, North Oakland County Homeland Security Hazmat team and the Oakland County Sheriffs Department were all in attendance to participate and simulate a disaster on the hospital’s campus.

"This drill is a great way to gather community resources together to prepare for times when the unexpected occurs," said Dr. Doru Bali, M.D and Vice Chief of DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital Emergency Department.

The emergency drill scenario included a jackknifed semi-truck, hauling spent nuclear reactor fuel. The semi-truck caused a chain reaction accident involving a school bus and several other vehicles, as well as an exposure to toxins for all involved.

The hospital staff and volunteers, Commerce Township Fire Department, Wixom Fire Department, North Oakland County Homeland Security Hazmat team and Oakland County Sheriff implemented the, "Unified Command," Incident Command System where the functional groups in the disaster exercise worked together to provide a continuum of support for patients, staff and the public. Victims were sent through primary and secondary decontamination, scanned for radiation and triaged to the Emergency Department for further treatment if needed.

"We practice these exercises to make sure we are prepared and able to provide the highest quality of health care in any kind of disaster," said Lynn Torossian, President of DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital.

Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital (HVSH) is one of nine hospitals and institutes operated by the Detroit Medical Center (DMC), a leading regional health system. Founded in 1986, HVSH has more than doubled in size and greatly expanded its services to meet the needs of rapidly-growing Oakland County. It is ranked as one of the top hospitals in southeast Michigan for patient satisfaction. For more information, visit

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