Disaster drill at hospital

APPLETON - It might only be January, but some people in the Fox Valley are already preparing for tornado season.

Theda Clark Medical Center held a mock drill Wednesday, in case of a tornado disaster.

Members of the Level Two Trauma Center took part in the drill.

Leaders gathered to interact with other hospitals, and tried to figure out how they would manage a large amount of patients.

Organizers say although it was only a drill, it's always best to be prepared.

"This is a real situation that could occur in any spring, where a tornado could come through and take out a hospital,” said Miki Gould from ThedaCare. “For example, last year Joplin hospital down in Missouri had this happen to them, this is a live event…so we are practicing and preparing the state of Wisconsin for this."

Organizers say they hope to hold this kind of drill twice a year.