BARSTOW – Mercy Air 66 medical team joined local and military agencies last week at Marine Corps Logistics Base (MCLB) Barstow’s Yermo Annex to improve regional emergency readiness.

To replicate the realities of a critical incident, MCLB Barstow Fire and Emergency Services hosted a multi-day, full-scale training exercise covering multiple emergency scenarios.

Mercy Air’s participation focused on an active shooter and mass casualty incident response.

Scenes featured actors and mannequins with simulated injuries, blaring alarms, loud noises, and controlled chaos to test responders under pressure.

“The crews at Mercy Air 66 enjoy participating in these exercises because they strengthen readiness and build camaraderie with our partner agencies,” said Mercy Air flight paramedic Jennifer Hipolite.

Hipolite added that the training also helps identify potential barriers or gaps, allowing them to be addressed before they affect patient or responder safety.

Mercy Air provides services without a membership requirement

Mercy Air said it routinely trains with first responders and local agencies to maintain emergency readiness. These joint exercises ensure safe landing zones and efficient patient transport by ground or air.

The team is dispatched via 911, first responder requests, or hospital transfer calls. The flight team includes a pilot and a critical care crew consisting of a nurse and a paramedic.

Blood products are carried on every mission and can be administered in flight to enhance patient care.

Mercy Air is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS) and operates according to established safety and clinical standards, providing services without a membership requirement.