(COLORADO SPRINGS) — CommonSpirit Penrose Hospital near downtown Colorado Springs will be holding a “Code Black” exercise on the evening of Friday, Jan. 26.
CommonSpirit Health said the mock exercise of a bomb threat inside the hospital will be conducted with the Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) and Hazardous Materials Unit, Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) Bomb Squad, American Medical Response, and the Southern Colorado Healthcare Coalition.
The full-scale mock drill will have increased activity with emergency vehicles outside of the hospital at 2222 North Nevada Avenue between East Jackson and East Madison Streets, but CommonSpirit Health said real-world emergency actions will take priority and the hospital will remain open and fully functional.
“Drills like these help us focus on three areas: readiness, response, and recovery. The simulation allows us to fix problems or issues quickly without compromising patient safety or well-being. The Penrose safety team is thankful for the willingness of our local fire, police, bomb squad, and healthcare coalition to participate in our ‘Code Black’ exercise,” said Sara Baird, Emergency Preparedness Manager, Penrose, and St. Francis Hospitals.