Crime & Safety
RivCo Hospitals Prepare for 'Active Shooter' Drill, SGMH Included
County officials are alerting citizens not to be alarmed when they see several emergency vehicles outside their local hospital this week.
Preparing for the worst-case scenario is what it's all about this week in Riverside County, as a dozen hospitals get ready for a multi-agency emergency drill.
The "active shooter" drill will take place on either Wednesday or Thursday at the medical facilities-- San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital in Banning among them-- and will simulate a shooter walking into the locations, and opening fire.
“This is a situation that, of course, we hope to never have to face,” said Kim Saruwatari, head of the county’s Emergency Preparedness and Response division, which is coordinating the event. “But this is a possible reality in today’s world and it is important that health care providers be prepared in case the unthinkable happens.”
Find out what's happening in Banning-Beaumontwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The county says that there will be several simulations done at the events, including one in which a "gunman" fires inside an emergency room, leaving behind “victims." At that point-- a SWAT team will enter.
The Banning Police Department, Beaumont Police Department and San Gorgonio CHP officers will all be taking part in the event at San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital on Thursday, according to Riverside County Department of Public Health spokesman Jose Arballo Jr.
Find out what's happening in Banning-Beaumontwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Due to the fact that there will be so many emergency vehicles in the area, residents are advised not to worry.
The following hospitals are taking part in the drill:
WEDNESDAY, MAY 16
- Desert Regional Medical Center, Palm Springs
- John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital, Indio
- Riverside County Regional Medical Center, Moreno Valley
- Loma Linda University MC, Murrieta
- Eisenhower Medical Center, Rancho Mirage
- Canyon Springs Community Center, Cathedral City
THURSDAY, MAY 17
- Corona Regional Medical Center, Corona
- Kaiser Permanente Hospital, Moreno Valley
- Kaiser Permanente Hospital, Riverside
- Parkview Community Hospital, Riverside
- Orange Tree Nursing Center, Riverside
- San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital, Banning
All drills are scheduled to start at 9 a.m., and wrap up by noon.
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