Bigfork Healthcare Facilities Conduct Second Active Shooter Drill
Bigfork Healthcare Facilities Conduct Second Active Shooter Drill
Bigfork Valley and Scenic Rivers Healthcare Services collaborated with the Itasca County Sheriff’s Office and Mike Marturano, Safety Officer of St. Luke’s Hospital to prepare for the worst. Volunteers and community members joined the employees of these two healthcare organizations on September 7, 2017 to participate in an active shooter scenario. This is the second such drill conducted on the Bigfork Valley campus in an effort to increase awareness and improve the safety of the workforce in this remote area.
Although violence of this degree is rarely expected – especially in healthcare – being prepared is key. Bigfork Valley and Scenic Rivers continuously work towards improving safety, security and preparing for the unexpected. The Bigfork Valley Emergency Preparedness Committee meets regularly to discuss and compose plans and training scenarios for their staff so that they can be as prepared as possible in the event of an emergency situation.
The Itasca County Sheriff’s Office and Marturano ran employees and community partners through two scenarios; firing blank rounds from a rifle to make the training as realistic as possible. Participants were instructed during a prior training on the “run-hide-fight” protocol to follow, and were instructed to observe their surroundings and come up with a plan to protect their safety prior to the drill.
Pictured: Bigfork Valley Emergency Preparedness Committee, CEO, Itasca County Sheriff’s Office and St. Luke’s training staff.