Multi-Agency Mass Casualty Event Exercise Conducted

LOS ANGELES (CNS) - A multi-agency mass casualty exercise was being conducted today at Dignity Health-California Hospital Medical Center in downtown Los Angeles.

The two-hour drill, which began about 9 a.m. outside the facility's emergency department in the 1400 block of South Hope Street, was based on a scenario involving two armed suspects firing at freeway commuters.

Participants include personnel from the Los Angeles Police Department, the Los Angeles Fire Department, and the Los Angeles County Emergency Medical Services Agency.

As part of the realistic exercise, about two dozen people posing as ``victims'' will be in a triage area, and they will be ``treated and admitted'' for treatment, including pediatric patients.

``Practicing a `united response' with the Los Angeles police and fire departments will help us all be better prepared for any emergency situation that may occur in the future,'' Margaret Peterson, Ph.D. and president of Dignity Health California Hospital said in a statement.

``Prevention is the best medicine, and this drill is just another form of preventive care for our community,'' Peterson said. ``It will help us to continue providing the highest level of security and care for our patients, visitors, employees, and first responders.''


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