ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – Numerous Delta County agencies are working together to conduct an active assailant exercise at Gladstone Area Public Schools this August.
Gladstone Public Safety is working with school administrators, Escanaba Public Safety, the Delta County Sheriff’s Office, Central Dispatch, OSF St. Francis Hospital, and other agencies to create a plan for the simulation. It includes everything from locking down classrooms and treating injuries to reuniting students with families.
Gladstone Public Safety Director Ron Robinson says it’s crucial to ensure everyone involved knows how to respond in the event of an emergency.
“Every entity that’s going to be involved in a mass casualty incident has their own plan, but it’s been a very long time since we’ve put all of those plans together,” he said. “We get to notice where those flaws are and we can plug the holes. Our most important thing here is that we actually prevent an incident before it actually happens.”
During a meeting with the department heads of participating agencies, Robinson emphasized that all roles are equally important when it comes to keeping students safe in an active assailant situation. The organizations will continue to meet and develop their plans in the months leading to the exercise.
Following a successful fundraising effort, Gladstone Public Safety will also be providing “Stop the Bleed” kits for all 125 classrooms in the district. Click here to read more about the kits and the background of the active assailant exercise effort..
