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Archdiocese of Los Angeles Department of Catholic Schools Bishop Alemany High School PRESS RELEASES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 29, 2014 CONTACT INFORMATION: Bishop Alemany High School 11111 No. Alemany Drive Mission Hills, CA 91345 818-837-5224 Fax 818-837-5390 [email protected]

DESCRIPTION: Bishop Alemany High School and Holy Cross Hospital Team Up for Emergency Preparedness

Bishop Alemany High School teamed with Holy Cross Hospital to practice handling a hazardous materials emergency on October 8th. First responders and Holy Cross hospital personnel worked hand in hand in treating patients in a simulated chemical spill drill. Fifty three Bishop Alemany High School chemistry students and several science teachers played the part of the patients exposed to the chemical spill. The drill was designed to teach hospital staff and first responder teams how to deal and prepare for a hazardous materials emergency. Ambulances came on to the Bishop Alemany High School campus to transport some of the students to Holy Cross Hospital. Science Department Chair Mrs. Veenhof and Science teacher Ms. Qureshi also walked a group of students up to Holy Cross Hospital. Holy Cross hospital hazardous materials team greeted the students. The students, wearing their hazardous materials suits, were triaged. Hazardous materials trailers were set up and students who had dressed in swimsuits, shorts and sandals for the drill were instructed on how to properly shed their contaminated clothing. They were given a hazardous materials kit which included a gown, sponge, booties, wristband and towel, and instructed on how to properly shower to remove the hazardous materials. Bishop Alemany High School emergency preparedness coordinator Lori Brown worked with Holy Cross coordinating the drill. Holy Cross was extremely thankful to continue the partnership with Bishop Alemany High School. Adding the element of “live victims” helps both Bishop Alemany High School personnel and Holy Cross hospital personnel visualize a real life event, and sheds light on things that may need improvement and things that we are doing well.

The Bishop Alemany High School community is a Catholic Community of Excellence that is Enlightened in Faith, Enriched as Community, Inspired by Excellence, Empowered to Succeed and Committed to Serve. For more information on Bishop Alemany High School please contact the Community Outreach office at 818- 837-5222 / 818-837-5224 or e-mail [email protected]