Mock disaster drill at Marshall Browning today

Emergency response vehicle descended on Marshall Browning Hospital at 1 p.m. today to participate in a mock Haz-mat drill conducted in coordination with the Du Quoin Emergency Services and Disaster Agency, Du Quoin Police Department, Perry County Emergency Management Agency, and Pinckneyville Ambulance Service.

The mock drill is intended to test response times of Marshall Browning Hospital and emergency management agencies. This year's mock drill scenario will simulate a chemical spill and will be testing Marshall Browning Hospital's Emergency Decontamination Plan. The drill will create a surge of additional patients to the Emergency Department. Visitors at the hospital may notice the extra activity but the normal flow of patient care and business will take place as usual.

"Chemical spills rise to the top of the list because of their probability in this region and their unpredictability," said David Searby, Perry County EMA Coordinator.

"We are taking proactive steps to ensure that our hospital is prepared for any event. Marshall Browning Hospital will be testing its capability to meet these types of challenges in the hopes that our hospital will continue to uncover areas for change and improvement in the safe environment of an exercise, when no patient lives are at risk," said Edwin Gast, CEO.