Emergency decontamination training sessions are set to take place at the Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy.
NHS Fife is running two preparedness exercises to test staff are ready for major incidents involving hazardous materials.
The first exercise will take place today (Friday) and will involve the assembly and testing of specialist decontamination equipment outside the A&E.
A larger simulation will follow on Thursday, September 17, focusing on the hospital’s response to a hazardous materials scenario.
Claire Dobson, director of acute services for NHS Fife, said: "Exercises such as these are an essential part of our emergency preparedness arrangements.
"While we hope never to need to respond to this type of incident, it is important that we regularly test our plans, equipment and procedures so our staff remain confident, competent and ready to respond effectively should the need arise.
"The familiarisation exercise today will help ensure staff are fully acquainted with the assembly and testing of the specialist equipment we will be using ahead of the larger emergency planning exercise later in the month.
"Together, these activities will help strengthen our preparedness and ensure our emergency response arrangements remain robust.
"We would like to reassure the public that these are planned exercises only.
"There is no risk to the public, no cause for concern and no expected impact on patient care or hospital services."
Normal services at the Vic, including A&E, will continue as usual during both exercises and there should be no disruption to patient care or emergency access.
Members of the public may notice a decontamination tent being set up outside the emergency department on both dates.
The exercises are part of NHS Fife’s statutory emergency planning obligations and are designed to ensure staff and partner agencies are fully prepared for real-life incidents.
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