Clinton County School District, in cooperation with multiple state and local law enforcement agencies, fire department, hospital, and emergency services will conduct a school district and community crisis response exercise next Friday morning, August 2, involving nearly 200 participants.

Local school officials remind citizens that it is important to realize this is a practice exercise, or “mock disaster” situation only and not a real event.

At least one school official said that the last time the exercise was conducted in 2009, there was some confusion by the public at large who came to the scene not knowing it was a practice exercise only.

Residents are urged not to be onlookers during this important exercise, which is meant for safety training for all school personnel, as well as law enforcement and emergency response agencies that are taking part in the exercise training.

The scenario for this exercise will involve multiple, nearly simultaneous, casualty-inflicting events. Exercise play will include: (1) an active school shooter scenario requiring the tactical response of several law enforcement agencies working in unison, (2) on-scene, medical triage and evacuation of victims to the hospital via ambulance, (3) mass casualty processing at the hospital, (4) the evacuation and transportation of all staff and faculty from the school, (5) debriefing and after action review with all school personnel.

The upcoming crisis response exercise, which will take place at Clinton County High School, is also scheduled during the 127 Yard Sale weekend, meaning that there will be more traffic than usual on the roadways from responders’ locations to the practice area. Thus, travelers are reminded to use extreme caution and be alert if traveling near the high school location during the exercise.