Safe Schools / Healthy Students SAFE-T Project conducted its sixth Tabletop Exercise and Advisory Council Meeting on Monday, February 21, 2011 at the Clinton County Welcome Center. Facilitated by SAFE-T Project Director Charlotte Bernard, School Safety Coordinator Kevin Groce, and Emergency Services Director Lonnie Scott, participants reacted to a scenario involving an earthquake.

In a Tabletop Exercise, participants have the opportunity to react and respond to a simulated emergency or crisis situation. This type of exercise allows participants to explore the available community resources, clarify roles and responsibilities of each organization, examine existing modes of communication, reflect on strengths and weaknesses, and consider longer-range goals in a compressed time frame. Over forty community partners participated in the Tabletop Exercise, representing the Clinton County Board of Education, Sheriff’s Department, Albany City Police, State Police, Emergency Services, Fire Department, Clinton County Hospital, city and county government, ministerial association, extension office, and Equity Group. Thanks to all community partners who participated in the Tabletop Exercise and are working hard to keep our children safe.

Above, some of the school and local officials are shown working on crisis questionaires during the exercise. Below, SAFE-T Coordinator Kevin Groce, right, addresses those attending as the program gets underway. Seated at the table in the photo below are Clinton County High School Principal Sheldon Harlan, left, and Albany Police Chief Ernest Guffey.