VA Puget Sound to hold active threat exercise - VA Puget Sound Health Care System
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VA Puget Sound Health Care System

 

VA Puget Sound to hold active threat exercise

July 20, 2018

SEATTLE, Wash. – July 20, 2018 – VA Puget Sound Health Care System will hold an active threat exercise on the morning of July 24 at its American Lake campus as part of its ongoing training of both staff and veterans on safety and emergency response.

Lakewood residents who live on Veterans Drive Southwest and people visiting the area may see emergency vehicles arriving and departing the American Lake campus. To simulate the high-stress environment of an active shooter scenario, role players, simulated police action, sound effects, weapons and ammunition will be used during the exercise.  Local response agencies have already been notified of the exercise.  The local community should not be alarmed as it is not an actual emergency.

  • Who: VA Puget Sound Health Care System
  • What: Active Threat Exercise
  • When: July 24, 2018 from approximately 5 a.m. to noon
  • Where: American Lake Campus (9600 Veterans Drive SW, Tacoma, WA 98493):   Three buildings and surrounding spaces within the campus will be clearly marked and closed to the public and patients during the exercise.
  • Why: Collaborative training with community responders and staff

These types of exercises can mean the difference from life and death. To support the most effective training experience, VA Puget Sound is asking that the general public refrain from coming onto the property of its American Lake campus unless it is health care related. 

American Lake staff will continue to offer medical services and see patients during the exercise. Veterans who have previously scheduled appointments or those needing urgent care are always welcome.  

VA Puget Sound provides comprehensive care to more than 105,000 Veterans across its nine facilities in the Pacific Northwest. It has the 5th largest research program within the national VA system and seven Centers of Excellence (in areas from limb-loss prevention and prosthetic engineering to primary care education and substance abuse treatment). More than 2,000 trainees participate in its undergraduate and graduate programs each year. For more information visit www.pugetsound.va.gov

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Media notes:  Media interested in covering the training should contact the VA Puget Sound Public Affairs Office at (206) 277-1711 by 3 p.m., July 23, 2018.

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