Planned Active Shooter Drill held at Coastal Pines Technical College
Last Friday, classes were not in session in the Allied Health Building on Coastal Pines Technical College’s (CPTC) Waycross Campus. Yet shortly after 11:30 a.m., chaos broke out when faculty and staff, along with local law enforcement, emergency services providers and student volunteers, took part in a planned active shooter drill. Personnel from the Waycross Police Department, Waycross Fire Department, Ware County EMS, and Ware County EMA participated in the drill. CPTC Campus Police Chief James Mock coordinated the event.
Using a gun loaded with blanks, a simulated shooter opened fire in the library and proceeded through the building firing at anyone he saw. Law enforcement responded, dealt with the shooter and secured the scene before allowing EMS crews to enter and treat the “wounded.” During the drill, the Waycross Police Department and other emergency responders were called to a real emergency in the community, which added to the realism of the drill.
Prior to the actual drill, CPTC faculty and staff met to review what steps to take during an emergency. The review included an active shooter presentation and training presented by Captain Tommy Cox of the Waycross Police Department, who coordinated the local emergency response.
While Friday’s scene was scripted out for training purposes, it provided the College and local agencies the opportunity to practice and prepare in the event the unthinkable were to happen. “It is vital that emergency plans are communicated, executed, evaluated, and updated as needed,” said Chief Mock. “Drills like this one are essential to help us do that.”
Following the drill, Chief Mock and CPTC President Dr. Glenn Deibert led an after-action discussion with law enforcement, emergency responders and the CPTC leadership team to evaluate the activity. “Drills like this are essential, not only for the College, but for local law enforcement agencies and other emergency responders who need to be familiar with our facilities and emergency plans,” Dr. Deibert told the group. “Thank you for participating and for the work you do to keep our College and community safe and secure. Our community is fortunate to have such an outstanding group of dedicated public safety officers.”
The event was videoed by the College and will be used for future training at all CPTC campuses.
Pictured on the top left: Officer simulating entering the hot zone in search of the active shooter, while other officers are carrying one of the victims to a safety zone.
Pictured on the bottom left (left to right): Chief of Campus Police James Mock, from the Waycross Police Department – Captain Tommy Cox, Canine Officer Dwayne Howell, Patrol Officer Donna Waters, Patrol Officer Ashley Boatright, Patrol Officer Kishaan Stephenson; and College President Glenn Deibert.
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