ILLINI COMMUNITY HOSPITAL HOLDS COMMUNITY-WIDE BOMB THREAT EXERCISE IN PITTSFIELD

PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Illini Community Hospital conducted a community-wide bomb threat exercise Wednesday morning, bringing together hospital staff and emergency agencies for a large-scale preparedness drill. The exercise began at 9 a.m. and was scheduled to conclude at 11 a.m.

Hospital officials stressed that the exercise was only a drill and that there was no actual threat to Illini Community Hospital or the surrounding community. Multiple local, county and state agencies took part, including law enforcement, emergency medical services and the Illinois Secretary of State Bomb Squad.

The simulated bomb threat was designed to test communication, coordination, decision-making and emergency response procedures in a controlled setting. Residents were advised that they could see an increased presence of police vehicles, ambulances, bomb squad personnel and other emergency responders at and around the hospital while the exercise was underway.

Illini Community Hospital remained open and fully operational throughout the training, with patient care, visitor access and normal business continuing as scheduled. Hospital officials said drills such as this allow agencies to evaluate response plans, identify weaknesses before a real emergency occurs and strengthen working relationships among the organizations that would respond together during an actual crisis.