Forks, Wash. — Forks Community Hospital will join local emergency response agencies on Thursday, August 27, at 1:30 p.m. for a coordinated community emergency preparedness drill designed to strengthen collaboration, communication, and response capabilities across the Forks area.

The exercise will bring together Forks Community Hospital, Quillayute Valley School District, Clallam County Sheriff’s Department, Clallam County Fire District #1, the City of Forks, and the Forks Police Department to practice responding to a simulated emergency in a coordinated, real-world environment.

The community drill is designed to help participating agencies evaluate emergency plans, improve coordination, and ensure they are prepared to respond quickly and effectively when a real emergency occurs.

During the exercise, all Forks Community Hospital staff, including Emergency Medical Services (EMS), will participate in emergency response activities. Hospital teams will practice critical emergency management skills, including disaster staff recall procedures, patient triage, and other emergency management and disaster response protocols.

Normal patient care will not be interrupted during the exercise. The hospital will remain fully operational, and all scheduled appointments, emergency services, and patient care activities will continue as usual.

One of the primary goals of the exercise is to reinforce staff awareness of the hospital’s disaster recall process and ensure every team member understands their role during a large-scale emergency. The drill also provides an opportunity to evaluate existing emergency plans, identify areas for improvement, and strengthen the hospital’s preparedness efforts.

“Participating in community-wide drills will strengthen coordination and communication with our local response partners, helping to ensure a rapid, effective, and unified response during a real emergency. This type of exercise will allow us to evaluate our current plans, identify areas of improvement, and enhance our overall ability to provide safe, high-quality care when our community needs it,” said FCH Chief Nursing Officer Kelly Thompson, BSN, RN.

Forks Community Hospital encourages residents who may notice emergency vehicles or increased public safety activity during the exercise to know that it is a planned training event designed to improve emergency preparedness throughout the community.

Forks Community Hospital CEO shares, “Community-wide training exercises like this help ensure that local agencies are prepared to work together seamlessly during disasters and other large-scale emergencies, ultimately enhancing the safety and resilience of the entire Forks community”

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