WVU hospitals participate in regional emergency preparedness exercise

WVU Medicine Barnesville Hospital and WVU Medicine Harrison Community Hospital recently participated in Operation Flood Gate, a full-scale medical response and surge exercise designed to test regional health care emergency preparedness.

The exercise was organized by COTS as part of the Southeast/Southeast Central Ohio Healthcare Coalition’s coordinated response planning. It fulfills the Hospital Preparedness Program Medical Response and Surge Exercise requirements.

The drill included a series of simulated severe weather scenarios, including widespread flooding and road closures disrupting patient transportation. Additional scenarios involved prolonged rainfall causing infrastructure damage and water exposure leading to an outbreak of a waterborne illness.

Through the exercise, both hospitals tested emergency response plans and operational procedures while coordinating with regional partners they may not typically work with during daily operations.

“This exercise helps our hospitals evaluate internal and regional preparedness, resource management, communications, and coordination,” said Patrick Huber, director of operations for WVU Medicine Barnesville Hospital and Harrison Community Hospital.

“Participating in drills like this allows our teams to practice real-world scenarios, strengthen partnerships with regional healthcare organizations, and ensure we are prepared to respond effectively in the event of a large-scale emergency.”

Exercises like Operation Flood Gate help ensure hospitals across the region can effectively collaborate, share resources and respond quickly during large-scale emergencies that affect community health and safety.