2 Springfield, Ohio hospitals lock down due to bomb threats

 Bomb threats were made toward two medical centers in Springfield, sending both facilities into lockdown.

On the morning of Saturday, Sept. 14, the Springfield Police Division was alerted to a bomb threat against two hospitals in the city.

Kettering Health Springfield, located on North Limestone Street, was one of the alleged targets. According to Kettering Health, police notified the hospital’s security team, who put the hospital under temporary lockdown.

Police officers and the hospital security team worked together to search the premises and did not find anything suspicious.

Kettering Health says the lockdown has since been lifted.

“The safety protocols we have in place for these instances allow us to work quickly with local law enforcement to investigate threats thoroughly and ensure the safety of our patients and staff,” Kettering Health said in a statement.

Mercy Health’s Springfield Regional Medical Center, located at 100 Medical Center Drive, was also sent into a temporary lockdown after officials heard of the alleged bomb threat around 6 a.m.

Police and security on site searched and found nothing, determining the threat to be not credible at this location as well. A spokesperson with Mercy Health says the hospital continued to operate during this time.

“One of our most important responsibilities is the safety and security of our patients, visitors, associates and physicians,” the spokesperson said. “We would like to thank the Springfield Police Department as well as our onsite teams for their swift, efficient and caring response.”

These incidents come after multiple government buildings and schools were evacuated and closed this week due to bomb threats and safety concerns.

Springfield Police Division posted to social media, reminding citizens of their commitment to ensuring safety for everyone.

“We recognize that the past few days have been particularly challenging for everyone in our community. Please know that we remain fully committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of each and every person,” the statement reads. “We take any and all threats to our community’s safety very seriously and continue to work diligently to address them.”

https://thehill.com/homenews/4880163-2-ohio-hospitals-lock-down-due-to-bomb-threats/