McCook Agencies Complete Annual Emergency Preparedness Drill

Community Hospital, the City of McCook with the McCook Fire Department and McCook Police Department, as well as other external partners successfully conducted their annual community-wide emergency preparedness drill on Thursday, August 20, testing and strengthening coordinated emergency response efforts among local agencies.

The exercise took place on South Street near the southeast corner of Parker Hannifin and involved emergency responders, law enforcement, fire personnel, volunteers, simulated patients, and support teams from across the community. The scenario provided participants with an opportunity to practice emergency response procedures, evaluate communication processes, and enhance coordination among agencies in a controlled environment.

“This type of training is critical for our community,” said Stacey Aguilar, Community Hospital Emergency Management Director. “Disasters and emergencies can happen at any time, and exercises like this allow us to strengthen partnerships, identify areas for improvement, and ensure we are prepared to respond effectively when real incidents occur. The more we train together, the better equipped we are to serve and protect our residents.”

Officials reported that the drill met its primary objectives and provided valuable opportunities to assess response capabilities and collaboration among participating organizations.

The agencies involved appreciate the cooperation of community members and everyone who participated in making the exercise a success. Ongoing training and preparedness efforts help ensure local responders remain ready to respond to emergencies throughout Red Willow County and the surrounding area.