Mock shooting incident at ASC will help train first responders (10-31-07)
A mock shooter/hostage incident will be staged at Adams State College Nov. 9 by area emergency response agencies, announced Dr. Joel Shults, Adams State director of Public Safety. The drill is scheduled for 2-4 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 9, in the southwestern portion of the Student Union Building on First & Stadium.
Campus and community members should be aware that the scene will be treated as an actual incident, with numerous emergency vehicles and first responders. All weapons used in the drill will be empty of ammunition; Sean Woods of the District Attorney's Office is serving as safety officer for the drill.
College offices and services located inside the SUB will continue normal operations during the drill. These include the Bookstore, cafeteria, Food Court, and One-Stop Student Services Center. Efforts will be made to keep disruption to a minimum, but pedestrian traffic at the location will be limited, Shults said.
The drill will allow the college, police, and other responders to test their communication and coordination procedures in preparation for a range of incidents. Responders will follow procedures established by the National Incident Management System for operating a Unified Command center.
"We will be looking for failures, for breakdowns in the system that we can patch," Shults said. "Our objective is to test our ability to successfully coordinate all the resources that would be mobilized in an actual event."
The scripted drill will consist of a mock terrorist making threats and firing several simulated rounds, striking multiple "victims," to be portrayed by Adams State theatre students. The terrorist will be portrayed by a Trinidad State Junior College EMT student. The terrorist will then be wounded and take hostages inside the building.
Agencies participating in the drill include Adams State administration and Department of Public Safety, Alamosa Fire Department, Alamosa Police Department, Alamosa Sheriff's Department, Colorado State Patrol, valley and regional Homeland Security, San Luis Valley Regional Medical Center and Emergency Services, and Valley Wide Health Systems. All agencies will be maintaining normal patrols and services during the drill.
"This is really a partnership among all the agencies involved. We will be coordinating all the resources that would be needed for a major event. The same preparation applies to variety of incidents," Shults said.
By Julie Waechter
