Request for Volunteer Victims/Hostages, etc. for Active-Shooter Exercise
By Shaunda Rauch on September 07, 2012 from Emergency Services Blog via Connect-Bridgeport.com
As part of a continuing partnership with public safety forces, the Meadowbrook Mall, will be hosting an “active shooter” training exercise on Sunday, September 16th, 2012. It will run between 7 and 10 PM, after the mall closes for the day. Members of the Bridgeport Police and Fire Departments, the Volunteers In Police Service (VIPS) and Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), the West Virginia State Police, Harrison County Sheriff Department, Harrison County Emergency Medical Service and 9-1-1, the U.S. Marshal Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United Hospital Center and other emergency responders are scheduled to participate, honing their skills to protect the public.
In order to make this exercise as realistic as possible for our officers, deputies and agents, we are asking that members of the community play the role of ordinary shoppers caught in the emergency situation. We need victims and hostages that will participate in the store lock-down as well as those that will be transported to the United Hospital Center, where the staff will practice their own procedures for dealing with a mass casualty incident. Please note that as much as we want this exercise to be a “fun” learning experience, our volunteers must take their role VERY seriously and behave in such a manner as the scenario warrants. Therefore, minors are permitted to participate, but must act accordingly so that our responders can have the best possible training opportunity.
If you are available to assist your local emergency responders with their efforts in preparing to protect our community on Sunday, September 16th between 6:30PM (arrive at Mall for final safety briefing and to sign in) and 9:30PM (this is an approximate time – the end will be determined on how quickly the responders are able to maneuver through the exercise scenario), then please send me an e-mail at srauch@bridgeportwv.com so that I can register you as a volunteer for the event.
I would like to thank you for your support of the emergency responders in our great community and hope that you will be able to come out on the 16th to participate in our active-shooter exercise.
