COLUMBUS – If you notice increased police and emergency personnel activity around the airport or a large number of badly injured people crowding hospitals today, keep calm. This is only a drill.
A large-scale disaster drill has been scheduled for Tuesday morning in central Ohio today with more than 500 volunteer “victims,” designed to help Central Ohio hospitals and first responders be better prepared to handle a large-scale, mass casualty event, said Jodi Keller, associate director of healthcare emergency Preparedness at the Central Ohio Trauma System, which organized the exercise and which has been coordinating disaster preparedness for the region’s hospitals and other health care systems since 2002.
The drill will involve police, EMS, fire and hospital personnel and will encompass three venues: MAPFRE Stadium, John Glenn International Airport, Otterbein University as well as many area hospitals.
The “victims” will be in full makeup so organizers are concerned that the public may think there is a real event.
“Do not be surprised to see increased activity at Hundreds of volunteer victims will be in full makeup, so don’t be fooled. This is only a drill.” Keller said.