JOPLIN, Mo. – Freeman Health System employees toured one of the new Mass Casualty/Communications trailers Thursday morning that serve as a key community asset – should the unthinkable occur. 

Parked outside the Freeman Emergency Department, the trailer is equipped to provide rapid emergency aid and uninterrupted communications during a local or regional disaster like a tornado strike or mass shooting. 

“We hope we never have to use them,” said Skip Harper, Freeman Health and Safety Officer, “but they’re here if needed.”

The system owns and operates two trailers; one based at Freeman Hospital West and the other at Freeman Neosho Hospital. 

“No other hospital in the state of Missouri has two trailers like these,” Harper said. “We just want folks to know that if a disaster happens in Pittsburg, Kan., or in McDonald County or Lamar, that they are available and ready to help.”  

Each trailer is equipped with state-of-the-art 5G cellular data systems, wireless internet, satellite- and radio-communications systems, preventing a repeat of the “communication bubble” that descended across Joplin immediately following the May 22, 2011 tornado strike. 

In addition, each trailer holds large quantities of life-saving equipment and medical supplies that can significantly boost support to EMS units responding to a mass casualty disaster in the field. Each trailer can triage or stabilize up to 200 trauma victims.