NORWICH – Given the all too often deadly shootings in schools nationwide, the Norwich City School District put safety at the forefront on Friday with a special training exercise for faculty and emergency personnel.
The event, colloquially known as an “introducer drill,” allowed local law enforcement agencies – the Norwich City Police Department, the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office, and New York State Police – to collaborate with school teachers, students, and administrators on certain procedures should a dangerous individual ever enter a school building. It also provided opportunities for first responders, including firefighters and emergency medical technicians, to practice their role in such a situation.
According to school administration, the exercise was a chance to confront a grim reality that schools need to be prepared should a real-life situation ever come to fruition.
“These types of incidents are happening on a weekly basis in schools across the country. I think it would be naïve of us to think it could never happen here,” said District Superintendent Gerard O’Sullivan. “I don't think anyone can say they can ever be ready for this kind of situation, but this gave us at least one training that will help us be a little more prepared.”
Training was held at the Norwich middle school. While most students and teachers were given early dismissal, dozens volunteered to play the “victims” of a shooter (played by another volunteer) who entered the building in a scenario scripted by Norwich firefighter Jason Gray and Chenango County bioterrism personnel Ellen Cohen. Victims were placed in hallways and classrooms throughout the building.
“Our main purpose was to test each agency involved and spot any flaws they might have with their emergency plan,” explained Gray. “This gave all agencies – the school and emergency responders – a chance to work together to think of things that need to be improved on in the future.”
Gray said all agencies involved will meet at some point over the summer to discuss what worked well and what didn’t so that necessary changes in emergency plans can be made prior to the start of the next school year.
“I thank participating agencies for their support and the school district for welcoming this type of drill,” he added. “It’s not something anyone wants to think about but it’s something everyone needs to be ready for.”
Police may have used fake guns to tag the suspect and help protect victims during training, said Norwich Police Chief Joseph Angelino, but the tactics employed were real and it better prepared everyone involved for extreme emergency situations.
“It was really a great opportunity for teachers, law enforcement, fire and all first responders to learn together,” he said.
Being the first training of its kind in Norwich, all who were involved were introduced to a number of scenarios, both scripted and unscripted, that could one day be a devastating reality.
“Ultimately, it was a great learning experience,” added Angelino. “The public saw this as a police training; but really, it was a way for police to work with unarmed school workers, emergency workers and EMS to help victims inside the building.”