Medical Center to Conduct Safety Drill Wednesday

By Thérèse E. Rymer

July 21, 2008

The UC San Diego Medical Center, Hillcrest and Thornton, will conduct a safety training event on Wednesday, July 23. 
    
Law enforcement agencies will practice security and crowd management in preparation for a potential public health crisis and an influx of patients to UC San Diego Medical Center. 

Beginning at 7 a.m. at Hillcrest and 8 a.m. at Thornton, visitors to UC San Diego Medical Center will be greeted, briefly, by members of the San Diego Police Department at a checkpoint, and directed to appropriate areas.  Military personnel acting as patients will either be treated for their “injuries” or washed down at a decontamination station set up outside, near the Emergency Department. Emergency personnel will be available to explain what is happening and how this training will help in the event of a real emergency.

Also, at approximately 8 a.m., two H-46 military helicopters will land on the helipad at the rear of Scripps La Jolla and will dispatch two dozen law enforcement officers. The officers will proceed to the main traffic intersection just off of Genesee Ave. where they will practice traffic and crowd control measures. Minor traffic delays are anticipated from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. near this area.

The Medical Center appreciates the campus community's support for this important public safety training activity. This is part of our region’s ongoing commitment to ensuring a well-prepared, rapid and coordinated response to our community in the event of a real disaster.

Further questions can be addressed to l Health Sciences Communications at (619)543-6163.