Today UNMC will join other state agencies in a mock drill to help bolster their readiness in the event of an actual disaster.
The drill, called TEREX 2004, will not impact normal, day-to-day operations at UNMC, or its hospital partner, The Nebraska Medical Center.
The mock drill will be revealed to select participants today and messages will be preceded with “This is an exercise.” The exercise will help UNMC test its communications strengths and shortcomings.
“The drill will test our preparedness plans and help us make improvements so we’ll be better prepared in the event of an actual disaster,” said John Hauser, safety officer for UNMC and The Nebraska Medical Center.
UNMC officials say this is the first of a series of mock drills that will be “rehearsed” involving natural or man-made disasters, technological disasters or bioterrorism-related events.
Lt. Gov. Dave Heineman, chairman of the Nebraska Homeland Security Policy Group, and the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency are in charge of the statewide TEREX 2004 drill. All university campuses will participate in the exercise, as well as the Office of the President.