Dignity Health’s St. Mary Medical Center in Long Beach held its annual disaster preparedness drill and “Stop the Bleed” training event on Tuesday, June 16.
The full-scale, realistic exercise simulated a multi-casualty incident, allowing hospital teams to test emergency protocols, coordination and response efforts across multiple critical care and incident command stations, hospital officials said.
In addition to the disaster drill, participants had the opportunity to take part in “Stop the Bleed” training, a nationally recognized program that teaches life-saving techniques to control severe bleeding in emergency situations.
St. Mary Medical Center staff learn about disaster carts during the annual disaster preparedness drill and “Stop the Bleed” training event on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
St. Mary Medical Center in Long Beach held its annual disaster preparedness drill and “Stop the Bleed” training event on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
St. Mary Medical Center staff members practicing putting on a hazmat suit during the annual disaster preparedness drill and “Stop the Bleed” training event on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
St. Mary Medical Center staff members practicing putting on a hazmat suit during the annual disaster preparedness drill and “Stop the Bleed” training event on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
St. Mary Medical Center in Long Beach held its annual disaster preparedness drill and “Stop the Bleed” training event on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
A St. Mary Medical Center staff member demonstrating how to wear a hazmat suit during the annual disaster preparedness drill and “Stop the Bleed” training event on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
St. Mary Medical Center staff participate in “Stop the Bleed” training on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
A St. Mary Medical Center staff member participating in a multi-casualty incident drill during the annual disaster preparedness drill and “Stop the Bleed” training event on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
St. Mary Medical Center staff learning about the high-risk ambulance during the annual disaster preparedness drill and “Stop the Bleed” training event on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
St. Mary Medical Center in Long Beach held its annual disaster preparedness drill and “Stop the Bleed” training event on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
St. Mary Medical Center staff members participating in a multi-casualty incident drill during the annual disaster preparedness drill and “Stop the Bleed” training event on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
St. Mary Medical Center staff participate in “Stop the Bleed” training on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
St. Mary Medical Center staff members participating in a multi-casualty incident drill during the annual disaster preparedness drill and “Stop the Bleed” training event on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
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St. Mary Medical Center staff learn about disaster carts during the annual disaster preparedness drill and “Stop the Bleed” training event on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
The event reflects St. Mary’s ongoing commitment to preparedness, collaboration and public safety, equipping both healthcare professionals and community members with the skills, confidence and readiness needed to save lives during a crisis, according to a press release.
“We’ve had this disaster resource center for over 20 years, and these types of events are so important, especially here in Long Beach, because we have so many large events, like concerts, Grand Prix, and the Olympics are coming,” Carolyn Caldwell, president of the hospital, said on Tuesday. “Events like these help us remind employees and give them a refresher so that if we do have a disaster, they’re ready. We don’t just want to prepare when there is a large event coming up; we want to always be prepared for any casualty.”
St. Mary’s employees and administrators rotated through different stations, featuring disaster carts, hazmat suits, multi-casualty incident drills, and infectious disease protocols, which were set up at the emergency room entrance. There were also staff from the Long Beach Fire Department present to connect with hospital staff.
“Today, our goal is to raise awareness and make sure that staff members are ready,” said Kathy Dollarhide, director of St. Mary Medical Center’s Disaster Resource Center and Trauma Injury Prevention Coordinator. “St. Mary’s is always involved with the fire department and the police department, and we’re always communicating with them. There’s never a time that St. Mary’s Trauma Center or its disaster hospital is out of touch with our community agencies.”