UAA will participate in statewide terrorism exercise in April

UAA will soon be part of a statewide terrorism exercise, facilitated by the office of Emergency Management. On Friday morning April 1, responders from several agencies will join University Police and many other UAA departments in simulating a terrorist active shooter in Beatrice McDonald Hall. The exercise will help test the university's readiness plans and training, as well as plans of the assisting agencies. Exercise activities should conclude by noon that day.

That morning, five different buildings on campus will see some "play" as a component of the response to a mock shooting. We'll also see support coming from the Anchorage Police, Anchorage Fire, FBI, public health, Red Cross, National Crisis Response Canines and Salvation Army. Off-campus, there will also be major participation at the medical center emergency departments and the city's emergency operations center. Similar exercises will be taking place in cities across Alaska the same week.

This is a great opportunity for faculty to give some credit to students who could be assigned to be actors at the shooting scene and Family Assistance Center, mock media/press, as well as students who can help photograph and generate video documentation of the exercise. A limited number of participant slots are available. A safety officer and controllers have been assigned to ensure the exercise is conducted free of injuries or confusion. We are planning to activate a mock command post, Operations Center, witness interview area, press briefings location and a Family Assistance Center.

Please contact Emergency Manager Ron Swartz at rcswartz@uaa.alaska.edu if your training or academic needs could benefit from being a part of the action on April 1.

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