City of Hope will stage an emergency drill Nov. 17 throughout various areas of the Duarte campus.

Chaplain Terry Irish participates in a 2009 emergency drill. (Photo by Thomas Brown)

The simulated scenario will involve a suspected terrorist contamination of the local water system, leading to a shortage and loss of water throughout the campus, including clinical and research areas, as well as the surrounding community.

The drill is expected to last from 7:30 a.m. to noon, and employees may be asked to participate in the exercise to test communications, planning and response to this emergency.

“Many of our operations, including patient care and laboratory research, are critically dependent on a steady supply of water, so it is important for us to assess and refine our preparedness toward a water-loss scenario,” said Chuck Pickering, chief safety officer. “We hope for a high level of participation throughout the organization so we can realistically simulate this disaster and accurately determine our readiness.”

Pickering also encourages employees to evaluate their own readiness for a loss of water and suggests keeping a supply of bottled water and other emergency supplies in their homes and cars.

For more information about preparing for a disaster, visit the intranet safety page at www.coh.org/safety and select “Emergency Preparedness” from the menu or go to www.ready.gov.