Charleston County unveiled a new tool Friday to help handle emergencies. It’s called a mass casualty incident bus.
“This new mass casualty bus is a vital addition to our fleet,” says Charleston County EMS Chief Christopher Way.
County leaders say the bus is designed to transport as many as 22 people during a mass emergency and is equipped with patient beds.
They say it will also be used to support evacuations and to provide on-site medical support for large community events, like the upcoming Cooper River Bridge Run.
“The capability to safely transport up to 22 patients in a single vehicle is one we hope we never have to use,” adds Way. “But it brings both preparedness and peace of mind.”
Emergency workers say the bus will increase their ability to respond quickly during “high demand” situations. It will be staffed with specially trained personnel who will be available 24-7.
The bus was originally part of a Charleston County Public Library program but was converted with a nearly $200,000 grant from the South Carolina Department of Public Health.
