Pershing Health System (PHS) has taken a significant step forward in regional emergency preparedness through the acquisition of an Ambu Bus Kit—highly specialized equipment designed to support mass casualty incidents or large-scale patient evacuations. Thanks to a collaborative effort with Region E of Missouri’s Regional Homeland Security Oversight Committees (RHSOCs), PHS received the kit at no cost.
The RHSOCs were created to help Missouri communities plan and prepare for emergencies such as natural disasters or attacks. Missouri is divided into nine regions (A through I), each with its own oversight committee made up of local leaders from law enforcement, fire, EMS, public health, and other essential services. Linn County, home to PHS, is part of Region B—one of 16 counties in that area. These committees meet regularly to prioritize spending of emergency preparedness funds, strengthen coordination between agencies, and ensure their communities are equipped to respond when disaster strikes.
Region E housed the Ambu Bus Kit, a modular system that can be quickly set up in various environments to serve as a mobile treatment area or mass transport unit. The system can be installed in the hospital ambulance bay at PHS to expand emergency department capacity during a mass casualty incident. Alternatively, it can be installed into a school or transport bus to create a mobile medical unit for large-scale evacuations.
Currently, the PHS Emergency Department has five treatment beds, with the capability to add three more in the waiting room entryway during emergencies. With the addition of an Ambu Bus Kit set up in the ambulance bay, the hospital could increase its capacity by 12 more beds—greatly enhancing its ability to care for patients during a crisis. “I’m excited because at PHS, we can expand the ER by 12 beds in a mass casualty situation—and do it relatively quickly,” said Scott Chrisman, Operations Manager of the Linn County Ambulance.
The acquisition of the kit was made possible through a formal grant process facilitated by Jacalyn Quintero, Emergency Management Coordinator for PHS. Quintero submitted detailed documentation explaining the hospital’s needs and outlining how the kit would be used to improve emergency response. “PHS is proud to be the Ambu Bus hub for Region B,” said Quintero. “Having these resources on-site gives our community and surrounding areas a reliable, flexible option for patient care during emergencies. It’s one more way we are working to protect and support the people we serve.”
The Ambu Bus Kit is currently stored in the ambulance bay at PHS. When needed, the unit can be deployed and set up by just two individuals within 45 to 60 minutes. A signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) outlines that this equipment will be shared with other healthcare providers and agencies as needed, ensuring its benefits are felt far beyond Linn County.
If a dedicated bus is acquired to house the Ambu Bus Kit, the mobile unit could be transformed into a deployable asset not only for Region B but shared throughout the entire state of Missouri. This would allow the mobile medical unit to respond to statewide emergencies, such as the train wreck in Menden, a tornado, or a major multi-casualty event. “We can even provide treatment while transporting to the hospital,” Chrisman noted. Both Linn County Ambulance and PHS are hopeful that a bus can be acquired through a Homeland Security Grant in the future. If a bus cannot be secured, the kits will still serve an essential role by being deployed directly in the hospital’s ambulance bay.
“This capability doesn’t just expand capacity—it improves outcomes.” said Quintero. “By enabling PHS to treat more patients efficiently during emergencies, the Ambu Bus Kit plays a direct role in saving lives and stabilizing care when every second counts.”
Chrisman, who also serves as Deputy Director for Region B’s Strike Team, emphasized the importance of having flexible, deployable resources during large events. Missouri’s regions can be placed on a “scramble-ready” status in response to severe weather, major public events, or emergency situations like line-of-duty funerals. During these times, strike teams—composed of five paramedic-staffed ambulances from the region—are assembled to provide regional support when the local emergency services are at or beyond their capacity. A fully mobile Ambu Bus unit would be a key addition to Region B’s strike team deployment capabilities. Linn Co Ambulance also houses one of the Regional Emergency Response Trailers that can be deployed (and was deployed during the Mendon train accident) to provide equipment and supplies to treat up to approximately 50 trauma patients at once to stabilize and prepare them for transport to a tertiary hospital.
“I appreciate Pershing Health System’s willingness to provide the space and support for this equipment,” said Chrisman. “It’s an important step in making sure our region is ready for whatever comes our way.”
Photos:
Right: Scott Chrisman, Operations Manager of the Linn County Ambulance and Deputy Director for Region B’s Strike Team; and Jacalyn Quintero, Pershing Health System (PHS) Emergency Management Coordinator, Respiratory/Sleep Lab Department Manager.
Rachel Williams, RRT at PHS is demonstrating the Ambu Bus Kit set up in the Ambulance Bay of the Emergency Department at Pershing Health System.
The Regional Emergency Response Trailer is housed at the Linn County Ambulance office. This mobile unit can treat up to approximately 50 trauma patients.