The call came over the emergency responders’ radios just after 10 a.m. on Wednesday: “possible explosion at park, San Vicente north of Melrose.”

Los Angeles County Fire Department firefighters provide aid to a “victim” during the emergency drill in West Hollywood on Wednesday. (photo by Edwin Folven)

Sheriff’s deputies and firefighters rushed to the scene. Injured victims lined the boulevard in front of West Hollywood Park, some screaming for help. Deputies with gas masks and emergency gear searched the area for explosive devices and other hazards. When it was deemed safe, firefighters moved in and began treating the wounded in triage areas. Ambulances then rushed to the site to take injured victims to the hospital.

If it sounds similar to the recent bombings in Boston or other emergencies, that was the point. Although the emergency response was real, the explosion and victims were part of a drill the city of West Hollywood staged on July 31 to prepare responders and staff members for a terrorist attack or natural disaster. The drill began at 10 a.m. with a small staged explosion in front of West Hollywood Park, followed by a secondary explosion, both of which filled the surrounding area with smoke. The bodies lining the street were volunteers who played the role of victims. They made the drill even more realistic by wearing faux bloody clothing and covering themselves with debris. Approximately 200 members of the Los Angeles County Fire Department, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the West Hollywood Public Safety Office, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other agencies participated in the drill.

“This scenario was chosen to simulate any large disaster,” Los Angeles County Fire Department spokesman Ryan Fogg said. “This is the L.A. County Fire Department’s commitment to public safety, the community and teamwork. We are working with the city and the sheriff’s department to prepare for any large scale disaster.”

West Hollywood Mayor Abbe Land said the drill puts into perspective the enormous emergency response necessary during a disaster. She said it makes the city safer when everyone knows what to do if something occurs. It was the first time the city conducted such an extensive drill, and authorities had been planning the operation since November. Land and other city officials watched the response, and will later consult with sheriff’s and fire department officials on the success of the drill.

“This kind of thing is very, very important. If a big incident happens, we are ready and coordinated,” Land said. “It really tests things out to make sure we have the things in place as a city that are necessary to respond appropriately. We hope we never have to do this for real.”

Fogg said approximately 50 citizen volunteers were recruited to simulate injured victims, with 15 representing serious injuries that would require hospitalization. Nearby hospitals were put on alert to be ready for arriving patients, and fire department helicopters were prepared to transport victims to hospitals as far away as Long Beach if necessary, Fogg added.

San Vicente Boulevard was closed to traffic between Melrose Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard until the drill concluded at approximately 11:30 a.m. Capt. Gary Honings, commanding officer of the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station, said the drill helps authorities prepare for the worst case scenario and ensure the lines of communication are open between the first responders and city staff.

“Obviously, practice makes perfect,” Honings said. “This is a great opportunity for us to test our mettle, so to speak, in case of a real threat. During debriefing, we will talk about the response and issues, and see if there is anything we can do better in the future.”