MEDIA CONTACT:

Christa Hyson, MPH

Public Information Officer

Disaster Preparedness Coalition

The Health Collaborative

(513) 247-5254

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Mass Casualty Incident Exercise Scheduled for September 19, 2019



Over 300 volunteers and 30 organizations are coming together to practice emergency response skills during a worst-case scenario.

CINCINNATI – If you see first responders and hear sirens at The Banks in Downtown Cincinnati during the morning of September 19th – no need to worry – it is just a drill. A large-scale mass casualty incident (MCI) exercise involving a multitude of dedicated emergency partners and volunteers is scheduled for Thursday, September 19, 2019.

The Hamilton County Fire Chiefs Association along with the Hamilton County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC), Hamilton County Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency and the region’s Disaster Preparedness Coalition are hosting a large-scale MCI exercise for first responders, hospitals, and other emergency partners to practice crucial skills that keep the Southwest Ohio region prepared and safe in the event of an emergency or disaster. Setup for the MCI exercise will begin at 5:30 AM, with actual exercise play to last from 8:00 AM until 11:00 AM. Exercise clean up should be complete by 1:00 PM.

During the exercise, Mehring Way near Great American Ball Park will be restricted to one lane, while Joe Nuxhall Way will be closed completely to vehicles until 1:00 PM. The Cincinnati Reds offices and Hall of Fame will remain open to employees and the public.

Exercises are key to preparing and building disaster resiliency in the Southwest Ohio region. The success of this exercise would not be possible without the volunteers and emergency partners from: