City, county, state emergency personnel to participate

 FAYETTE, Iowa (May 14, 2008) - Upper Iowa University will hold a mock drill Thursday (May 22) to test the response of the University community and local emergency workers to the presence of an active shooter on campus.

               "The main objective of this type of exercise is to give people a chance to see how they would react to a similar real-life situation," said Louise Scott, UIU Dean of Student Development. "The other part is, of course, providing an environment for all emergency partners to play out their respective roles." Emergency personnel participating in the exercise include the Fayette police department, Fayette County Sheriff's Office, State Highway Patrol, Fayette EMS, and local hospitals.

               The date of the drill is being released to the community; however, the actual start time is not being disclosed to give the event an element of realism. The University is asking that the community behave just as they would in the event of a true active-shooter incident on campus, which may even involve calling 911. Although no live ammunition is being used, sounds that simulate gunfire may be heard.

               The exercise is expected to last approximately two hours. Participants are asked to obey directions from all emergency or University personnel and should wait for an "all clear" signal for their area before resuming normal activities.

               The drill will be recorded as it is occurring and then evaluated once it is over. "The whole process allows the University to assess the strengths and weakness of the emergency plan it already has in place with the luxury of it not being a real active-shooter incident," said Scott. 

               If anyone has questions or concerns about this training exercise, please contact Scott at 563-425-5214 or e-mail at scottl@uiu.edu.

Contact:
Sheila Miller,
Director of Public Relations
563-425-5326
Fax - 563-425-5701
millers@uiu.edu
www.uiu.edu