Joint multi-agency training simulates real-life emergency scenario

YUMA, AZ – Jan. 27, 2026 — TriState CareFlight 7 joined the Yuma Fire Department and a wide network of regional first responder partners for a coordinated Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) training today designed to evaluate and measure the effectiveness of current resources, interagency communication, and collaborative response capabilities. Participating agencies included medical facilities, local and regional first responders, and TriState CareFlight. Together, agencies worked through a realistic, fast-moving scenario that tested patient triage, scene management, landing zone coordination, medical transport processes, and the integration of air and ground operations.

“Mass casualty incidents require precision, trust, and a deep understanding of how each agency operates,” said Captain Francisco Leon of the Yuma Fire Department. “When we train together in environments that feel as close to real as possible, we identify our strengths, expose any gaps, and strengthen the partnerships that ensure we move as one unified team when the next emergency occurs.”

TriState CareFlight routinely engages in joint training with first responders and local agencies to ensure readiness for any emergency and to adapt to evolving challenges. These collaborative exercises reinforce best practices and help build the muscle memory crews rely on when time is critical.

“Training alongside our partners eliminates guesswork when the stakes are high,” said TriState CareFlight Flight Nurse John Hagen. “Realistic scenarios allow our crews to practice critical decision‑making, refine communication, and ensure that air and ground teams operate as a coordinated unit. When a real call comes in, this preparation is what allows us to respond smoothly, efficiently, and entirely focused on patient outcomes.”

The TriState CareFlight team responds when dispatched through a 911 call, a request from a local first responder agency, or a call from a hospital needing an interfacility transfer. The flight team is comprised of a seasoned pilot and a highly trained critical care team consisting of a nurse and a paramedic. On every transport mission, the clinical team carries blood products, which can be administered in flight, if necessary, positively increasing patient outcomes. Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS), TriState CareFlight adheres to the industry’s highest standards in safety and clinical excellence and provides lifesaving services without requiring a membership to avoid a costly bill.

“Where seconds make all the difference in saving a life, trainings like these create a lot of muscle memory, so when the call to action is real, we are ready to respond seamlessly and quickly,” said Hagen. “This gives practical and first-hand experience when responding to any critical incident, big or small.”