EASLEY — In ongoing emergency preparedness, Baptist Easley and community partners will stage an active shooter exercise at the hospital.

The drill will take place Thursday, April 11, 9 - 11 a.m.

The scenario involves an estranged father (wanted on a criminal domestic violence charge) who enters the Birthplace and seizes his newborn infant. He encounters seven staff in the hallway and shoots them. Shooter then enters a classroom and opens fire on 11 people.

Security responds to the scene and one officer is shot. EPD arrives on scene and neutralizes one shooter; another holds the infant hostage. Law enforcement tactical team negotiates with shooter for release of victims; shooter releases a hazardous chemical. Law enforcement neutralizes 2nd shooter. Casualty count: 10 fatalities, 9 adults wounded; 4 of the adults and the infant exposed to unknown chemical hazard. Victims are received in emergency department for treatment or to hot area for decontamination. The incident concludes with a hot wash in Branham Conference Center and completion of after-action reports.

Community partners include: Easley Police Department, Easley Fire Department, Pickens County Sheriff’s Office, Pickens County EMS, Pickens County OEM, Pickens County HAZMAT, Oconee Nuclear Station, SCDHEC, FEMA Region IV, Clemson University and other area hospitals.

All communications during this training exercise will be prefaced with, THIS IS A DRILL. The mass casualty exercise affects departments throughout the hospital. It engages several internal codes; evaluators will rate employees’ response and performance.

“Emergency preparedness training is essential for our hospital and our community,” said Richard Collins, manager of Safety/Security/Emergency Management, Baptist Easley Hospital. “Our goal is to keep our patients, their families, and our employees safe at all times. We need the support of community partners to do so. And, in the event of a real mass casualty, such as the theater shooting in Colorado, our hospital is vital in saving lives.”