HEMET - Hemet Valley Medical Center will conduct a full-scale exercise on April 26th to test the hospital’s response to a mock fire, resulting in evacuation of hospital simulated patients, visitors and personnel. Hospital patients and visitors can expect to see several first responders and equipment involved in the exercise between 0800 a.m. – 1200 p.m.
More than 150 volunteers, hospital employees, and first responders will participate in the disaster drill. Hospital personnel will respond to a simulated fire in one of the hospital towers by moving simulated patients and visitors. Some individuals, acting as patients, will be transferred by ambulance to the hospital’s department of Emergency Department (ED). Hospital personnel will activate internal protocols, including the activation of the hospital incident command system, while first responders ensure public safety.
“Partnership is key to both quality healthcare and public safety,” Said Scott Brown, Fire Chief. “This exercise involves several agencies working together to demonstrate our ability to safely move patients out of harm’s way, while continuing to provide critical care.”
Hemet Valley Medical Center partnered with the Hemet Fire Department/Emergency Medical Services, Hemet Police Department, American Medical Response Ambulance, Soboba Fire, CAL-FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department, and the County of Riverside Emergency Management- Department to demonstrate fire response and hospital evacuation.
The ED as well as all other hospital services will continue normal operations throughout the exercise on April 26 and real-life patients will continue to be admitted to the ED.
Exercise control staff may stop the exercise at any time if they believe it is impacting patient care.