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St. Luke Hospital plans disaster training exercise

St. Luke Hospital will host a disaster exercise at 8 a.m. Saturday.

The exercise will involve numerous county entities including Marion Emergency Medical Services, Marion Fire Department, Marion Police Department, Marion County Communications, Marion County Sheriff's Department, Marion County Health Department, Lincolnville Fire Department, and Kansas Highway patrol.

Volunteers from Hillsboro Community Medical Center will evaluate the hospital's performance during the drill. State officials also will be present to observe, evaluate, and suggest ways to improve.

During the drill at approximately 9 a.m., county communications will dispatch entities to a "specified disaster" location caused by a terrorist incident. Each entity will perform normal duties as though it were a real disaster. The drill may be stopped to discuss issues and then continue.

Streets will be blocked off around the hospital and living center. Visitors are asked to wait until Saturday afternoon to visit.

The emergency room will remain open with admission through the north hospital entrance. Those with appointments to see Dr. Bruce Skiles will be allowed to access the clinic. All other traffic will be diverted around the decontamination site during the morning hours.

Training, equipment, and supplies are provided through a grant provided by Kansas Department of Health & Environment. Funds also will pay for another drill to be implemented in 2006.

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