A hazardous materials incident at an Auburn nursing home prompted a mass casualty response Thursday afternoon after multiple staff members were reportedly exposed to an unknown substance and several lost consciousness.
The Auburn Fire Department said crews were dispatched around 2:24 p.m. to Auburn Nursing Home on Thornton Avenue after Cayuga County 911 received reports of staff exposure inside the facility.
While firefighters were en route, emergency responders were advised that several staff members had become unconscious, according to the department.
Engine Company 3 arrived within minutes and immediately initiated hazardous materials response protocols. The incident quickly escalated, bringing additional fire units, rescue crews and mutual aid ambulance services to the scene.
Firefighters and emergency personnel began evacuating residents and staff from the affected wing of the nursing home shortly after arrival. Officials later upgraded the call to a Mass Casualty Incident because of the number of people requiring medical evaluation and the resources needed to safely manage the scene.
In total, one resident and six staff members were transported to Auburn Community Hospital for further evaluation. Officials said another staff member went to the hospital by personal vehicle, while one resident declined treatment at the scene.
The conditions of those transported were not immediately available Thursday evening.
Ambulance crews from Auburn City Ambulance, SAVES, Southern Cayuga, Throop and Jordan assisted with patient transport and emergency operations. Additional standby coverage for the city was provided by Marcellus Ambulance and Fleming Ambulance during the incident.
The Cayuga County Health Department and the New York State Department of Health were both notified and consulted as part of the response and investigation. Assistance was also provided by the Auburn Police Department and Cayuga County Emergency Management.
Emergency crews remained at the facility until approximately 5 p.m. monitoring air quality, assisting facility operations and supporting the ongoing investigation into what caused the exposure.
Officials did not identify the substance involved Thursday night.
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