'Active Shooter' Drill Simulation Planned For Riverside Hospital

RIVERSIDE, CA — Law enforcement officials, firefighters and health care workers will run through a simulation of an "active shooter" in the Riverside area Wednesday, forming an immediate system of transporting, triaging and caring for those who require treatment at Riverside Community Hospital.

The mass casualty drill is planned from noon to 3 p.m. Wednesday in the hospital's emergency room, as well as several surrounding buildings on the medical campus, located at 4445 Magnolia Ave.

Along with Riverside police officers, city fire department crews will be on hand with personnel from Cal Fire, according to hospital spokesman David Maxfield.

"The main objectives for the drill are to enhance interagency communications between RCH, police, the fire department and American Medical Response, handling the potential surge in patients in the event of a shooting," he said. "The hospital will initiate a disaster command center, as the emergency room prepares for an influx in patients."

The exercise is not expected to interfere with normal hospital operations.

Some first responders may be called away to contend with actual emergencies, but the simulation will continue.

Similar "active shooter" drills have been conducted in other parts of the city and Riverside County in previous years. Schools have also been involved.