Lakeland hospital prepared for the worst after Monday's deadly shooting at Chicago's Mercy Hospital

NILES, Mich – After Monday’s deadly shooting at Chicago’s Mercy Hospital local Michiana area hospitals are ensuring the safety of their staff and visitors.

‘We practice MCI they’re called which is mass casualty incident, a patient surge, a hostile action and active attacker you know someone comes in the ER attacking staff we learn how to work through that,” Lakeland hospital Security Preparedness Manager Al DiBritto said.

Monday’s deadly shooting claimed the lives of Chicago Police Officer Samuel Jiminez, Pharmacy Resident Dayna Less, and Dr. Tamara O’Neal.

Lakeland hospital says they routinely perform safety drills and they have a tiered system which includes a category for an active shooter.  

Niles resident Jennifer McKenzie says even though it is not common to have an active shooter incident in Michiana it’s always best to be prepared.

“In this area not a lot of things happen but you never know what can happen because you never think of someone going into a hospital and anything happening really,” McKenzie said.

Lakeland hospital held their most recent mass casualty incident drill recently and they say they continue to keep their staff prepared.