Highland
Table-top exercise focuses on active shooter situations
Highland police, town leaders and school officials participated in an exercise this month to promote school safety.
Highland Police and Fire departments hosted a table-top exercise Thursday at the police department for more than 40 participants about active shooter situations “highlighting law enforcement’s response to an armed confrontation on campus,” Cmdr. John Banasiak said in a news release.
“We have been working diligently throughout this year with school officials and first responders as we researched and determined ‘best practices’ in an effort to provide both staff and students a safer learning environment,” Police chief Pete Hojnicki said in a statement.
The group discussed “red flags” and listened to actual 911 tapes regarding an active shooter, Banasiak said.
The goal was to launch an awareness campaign about prevention versus reaction, security, awareness, training and communication, he said.
“Our relationship with our schools and students is paramount, and we wish to only build upon it,” Banasiak said.
Participants included administrators from the School Town of Highland and area private schools, the deputy director of the Lake County 911 Center and Highland town management, according to the release.
“This was extremely important for our community and schools to collaborate together,” School Town of Highland Superintendent Brian Smith said.
Jack Allendorf, Lake County 911 deputy director said, “Communications during an emergency such as this are of the utmost importance, and by being involved in the preplanning we can help to ensure that all involved can effective and efficiently communicate during all phases of the incident.”
PREVIOUS ARTICLE
