A drill planned for next Tuesday will simulate an “external threat and lockdown” at McComb’s hospital and nearby nursing homes, likely drawing a large police presence for training purposes, hospital officials said.
“Area residents must be assured that this is an important drill to allow emergency services to practice their plans of action and communication among different agencies,” Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center officials said in a news release Friday.
The drill is planned for 1 p.m. and will include Southwest Health Systems, area emergency management, law enforcement, State Department of Health, Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and local health services, including nursing homes.
A debriefing will be held the day after the drill, officials said.
“While is it unnerving to have these types of conversations, we need to assure our community we will keep them safe,” Southwest Health COO Robert Weathersby said. “We have a solidified plan among our organizations, and we will practice overkill to be extremely prepared.”
