From Harford County Public Schools:
Harford County Public Schools (HCPS) will hold an Emergency Preparedness Drill on Tuesday, July 6, 2010, at Deerfield Elementary School from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. HCPS will partner with the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, Harford County Emergency Services, Joppatowne High School Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness students and other student and parent volunteers to carry out the drill. The drill will include two active shooter scenarios with moulage and emergency medical responses, and it will provide a realistic training environment for school staff that will enable them to implement their emergency management training.
HCPS was recently awarded a federal Readiness and Emergency Management for School Safety (REMS) grant. The grant, offered by the U.S. Department of Education, provides the opportunity for HCPS to expand emergency preparedness in the areas of revising procedures, additional training, crisis awareness, as well as putting the plans into practice. This drill is just one aspect of the 18-month REMS grant.
Lunch will immediately follow the drill at 1:00 p.m. Media is invited to attend the drill and lunch, but must RSVP to the HCPS Communications Office by calling 410-588-5203.
WHAT: Harford County Public Schools Emergency Preparedness Drill 2010
WHEN: Tuesday, July 6, 2010
7:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
WHERE: Deerfield Elementary School
2307 Willoughby Beach Road
Edgewood, MD 21040
This drill was a success due to the efforts of many hours of planning by members of the Emergency Operations Center, The Sheriff’s Office, and School administrators and staff. Civilain role players included Harford County students, teachers, and staff, as well as members of the Harford Sheriff’s Office Explorer’s program.
The participants all approached the training exercise with professionalism and had to overcome obstacles such as the heat as the majority of the school was not air conditioned. The Sheriff’s specialty Units practiced their crafts and performed exceptionally well.
Lessons learned were obtained that will enhance the safety of the school environment and provide for increased effectiveness between law enforcement and school administrators.
Special thanks to Rick Meighen and his staff from MIEMSS as they traveled great distances to support the exercise with their professionally applied moulage. It added a degree of realism to the exercise.
The Sheriff fully supported the drill and visited the site.
The exercise was covered by the media and conveyed during the evening news hours.
The message to the community should be obvious. Harford County is prepared for and has the resources to respond to and resolve any school-based emergency situation.