Duke to Host Emergency Drill Thursday

Duke and Durham first responders will hold an emergency drill Thursday, April 7 at the Global Health Research Building located on Duke's West Campus between LaSalle St. and Research Dr.The drill, which is a simulated response to an emergency incident, will take place between 8 and 10 a.m. Duke's EMS, Occupational and Environmental Safety Office and police department will participate in the drill along with groups from Durham's fire department and EMS. Emergency vehicles, including fire trucks, will be parked in fire lanes around the building. Drills will take place on the west side of the Global Health Research Building facing LaSalle Street.Duke Police said  alarms or sirens may be heard in the area, but they would only be part of the exercise. The drill won't restrict traffic and no roads will be blocked off."It's important for all emergency response groups to get used to working with each other so if there ever was a real incident, we'd know what to expect," said Maj. Phyllis Cooper, Duke Police's manager of security operations for Durham Regional Hospital. "This drill will help us build teamwork and stronger relationships so we can better handle any possible incidents in the future."