AVMC Hosts Los Angeles County Regional Emergency Drill

Emergency preparedness drill for potential chemical contamination incident.

(LANCASTER, Calif., May 9, 2025) — Antelope Valley Medical Center (AVMC) is proud to have hosted this year’s Los Angeles County Disaster Resource Center (DRC) Mass Decontamination Exercise on Thursday, May 8, 2025.  Nine hospitals from the Los Angeles County Region 5 participated in the day’s five-hour exercise on AVMC’s Lancaster campus.

The simulation focused on a mass casualty, hazardous materials event, where participating hospitals were evaluated on their ability to identify, manage, and decontaminate “victims” that have been exposed to an unknown chemical.  Participating volunteer victims came from Antelope Valley College’s EMT, Nursing, and Fire Science Programs, as well as students from the Palmdale Health Careers Academy. 

With well over 100 participants, this annual event also included the Los Angeles County Emergency Medical Services Agency, the Antelope Valley CERT team, as well as several local community partners working together to help the hospitals run through an emergency scenario, so they may better serve each of their respective communities if an event such as this were to occur in real life.

“As part of our ongoing commitment to emergency response preparedness, we were honored to have hosted this year’s drill,” said Edward Mirzabegian, Chief Executive Officer, Antelope Valley Medical Center. “These practice drills allow us to enhance our readiness to effectively manage any crisis, and to ensure our staff are well-equipped to provide swift and efficient care in the event of an emergency.”

Picture caption: Volunteer EMTs take student “victims” to decontamination showers.

Picture caption: Antelope Valley Medical Center’s deacon team, gear up to help victims as part of the Mass Decontamination Exercise.

Picture caption: Antelope Valley Medical Center’s emergency preparedness drill for potential chemical contamination incident.

To learn more about Antelope Valley Medical Center, visit www.avmc.org.

About Antelope Valley Medical Center

Antelope Valley Medical Center (AVMC) is the leading hospital in the heart of the Antelope Valley, delivering high-quality, compassionate healthcare to the community since 1955. As a 420-bed, full-service, acute-care hospital, AVMC offers comprehensive medical services, including emergency care, advanced surgical procedures, maternity and neonatal care, cardiovascular care, and the region’s only trauma center, pediatric and inpatient behavioral health unit. With a focus on innovation and compassionate care, AVMC is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the communities it serves. For more information, visit www.avmc.org, call (661) 949-5000, or follow us at @avmedicalcenter.