The hospital's safety and security staff of 20 was recently expanded to include the 40 persons who transport patients and equipment throughout the facility. Safety responsibilities include fire inspections, fire drills, a fire brigade for an initial response to a fire, and the investigation of accidents. Security responsibilities involve monitoring of the hospital closed-circuit television system; patrolling parking lots; and investigating thefts that involve hospital, employee, patient, and visitor property. Most of the security supervisory staff have completed the 240 hours of training in Louisiana's certified security officer training program. The security department cooperates with the human resources department in employee applicant screening. Disaster coordination is another responsibility of the security department. This involves the staging of two external disaster drills annually. One mock disaster consisted of several busloads of school children hit by a train. Public relations is a priority of the security staff, as they are encouraged to provide a variety of proactive services to hospital visitors, staff, and patients.