Beverly Hills Firefighters Conduct Emergency Training at BHUSD's Lasky Building

The Beverly Hills Unified School District opened its Lasky Building to the Beverly Hills Fire Department on Sunday, Aug. 2, for a comprehensive emergency response training exercise.

With students away from campus, firefighters used the district facility to practice responding to emergencies within a realistic school environment. A Beverly Hills firefighter in full protective equipment participates in simulated emergency operations at the Lasky Building.

The exercise included simulated fire and smoke conditions, search and rescue operations, hose and ladder deployment, ventilation procedures and incident command coordination.

Training inside an actual district facility allows first responders to become familiar with the building's entrances, interior layout and operating conditions before an emergency occurs. The exercise also gave firefighters an opportunity to practice coordinating multiple emergency functions within a school setting.

"One of Beverly Hills' greatest strengths is the close partnership between our City and our schools. Today's joint training exercise with the Beverly Hills Fire Department is another example of what can be accomplished when agencies work together with a shared mission of protecting our community," BHUSD Board of Education President Judith Manouchehri said.

BHUSD has placed campus preparedness and coordination with local public safety agencies among its continuing safety priorities. Beverly Hills Fire Department personnel gather outside the Lasky Building following Sunday’s joint training exercise with BHUSD.

Joint exercises provide district personnel and emergency responders with practical experience that can support a faster, more coordinated response during a real incident.

"Preparedness is not something we take for granted at BHUSD, and we are deeply appreciative of the Fire Department's commitment to ensuring our campuses, students, and staff are ready for any situation," Manouchehri said. "Together, we are building a safer and stronger Beverly Hills."

BHUSD and the City of Beverly Hills coordinated advance notifications for nearby residents, advising them that emergency vehicles and non-toxic training smoke would be visible around the facility during the exercise.

The district plans to continue making its campuses and facilities available for future training exercises involving the Beverly Hills Fire Department and Beverly Hills Police Department. The continued cooperation is intended to strengthen emergency preparation for students, employees and the surrounding community.