Trauma Training Reaches New Heights: Cooper University Health Care and Salem County Officials Lead Groundbreaking Exercise for First Responders

In a testament to innovative emergency preparedness, Cooper University Health Care's Section of Military, Diplomatic, and Field Surgical Affairs (MILDAF), in collaboration with Salem County officials, recently orchestrated a large-scale training exercise that's pushing the boundaries of first responder readiness. The Mid-Atlantic Severe Situation Exercise (MASSE), held at the Salem County Fire Academy in Woodstown, NJ,  in early May of 2024, brought together over 275 law enforcement officers, EMS providers, firefighters, and rescue personnel from four states for an intensive week of hands-on training.

This year's MASSE built upon the success of previous versions, expanding both in scope and participation. The exercise, designed to bridge the gap between austere tactical situations and critical medical management, offered participants a unique opportunity to hone their skills in high-fidelity simulations using cadavers.

NJ Assemblyman Dave Bailey, Jr. from the 3rd Legislative District, who witnessed the training firsthand, shared his impressions: "Public safety is top priority for me as a legislator, and I cannot overstate how impressed I was with the Mid-Atlantic Severe Situation Exercise (MASSE) training. Remarkable professionals from four states came together in Salem County to ensure preparedness in the face of unpredictable, complex, and dangerous real-life crisis situations."

The scenarios presented at MASSE read like a catalog of worst-case emergencies: farm vehicle entrapments, domestic violence incidents, hostage situations, and austere location medical interventions. Participants were thrust into these simulated crises, and tasked with applying life-saving techniques under pressure.

A key focus of the training was hemorrhage control, a skill pioneered by military medicine. Active-duty Army medical personnel embedded at Cooper and U.S. special forces medics provided instruction on proper tourniquet placement. In the cadaver lab, Cooper surgeons led hands-on training sessions covering crucial emergency procedures such as emergent airway management, intraosseous vascular access, tension pneumothorax decompression, and arterial bleeding control for both extremity and junctional wounds.

The training culminated in three unique live-fire scenarios, where participants put their newly acquired skills to the test. Instructors from MILDAF, Cooper's embedded Army team, the Salem County Sheriff's Office, and the Salem County Office of Emergency Management provided immediate, actionable feedback in post-scenario debriefs and “hot washes."

Dr. John Chovanes, Cooper trauma surgeon, US Army reservist, and medical director of MILDAF, underscored the importance of such training: "As the only Level 1 Trauma Center serving all of southern New Jersey and the busiest in the region, we have a desire and responsibility to work with local agencies to provide the in-depth kind of knowledge and training that allows first responders serving our communities to be ready and prepared for any emergency at a moment's notice."

The impact of MASSE extends beyond the training ground. Salem County Sheriff Charles M. Miller, a 40-year law enforcement veteran, described the exercise as a "game-changer," stating, "This training provided through this partnership was truly a game-changer. I have been in law enforcement for more than 40 years and have attended some of the best training available to law enforcement. I can honestly tell you that this training event was unlike any I have witnessed. It provided first responders from around the state and region the opportunity to learn lifesaving skills that can be applied every day in the field."

Looking ahead, plans are already in motion for the next iteration of MASSE. The organizers aim to expand partnerships to include the Department of Justice and to enhance training on farm equipment extrication. This forward-thinking approach exemplifies Cooper's commitment to continually improving public safety through collaborative, high-fidelity training initiatives.

As Cooper University Health Care's MILDAF section continues to push the envelope in first responder training, the impact of programs like MASSE reverberates through communities across the region. By bridging the gap between military medical expertise and civilian emergency response, these initiatives are setting a new standard in preparedness and potentially saving countless lives in the process.

John Chovanes, D.O., FACS, COL, USAR, Chief Surgeon for the Section of Military, Diplomatic and Field Surgical Affairs at Cooper University Health Care.

Timothy P. Galvin MSN, RN, CCRN-K, Maj, DANG(ret.), Administrator for the Section of Military, Diplomatic, and Field Surgical Affairs at Cooper University Health Care.

Richard J. Heffernan Jr., BS, Field Logistic Operations Coordinator for the Section of Military, Diplomatic, and Field Surgical Affairs at Cooper University Health Care.

Ms. Jaime Kuklinski, BA, Administrative Coordinator for the Section of Military, Diplomatic, and Field Surgical Affairs, at Cooper University Health Care.

Barry Bachenheimer, Ed.D, NREMT/FF is a frequent contributor to EMS World and is an active educator and field provider.