Amherst first responders to hold active shooter exercise at school

The Amherst Police Department, Amherst Exempted Village Schools and local emergency response organizations will conduct an active shooter exercise called “Artemis Shield 2019.”

It will take place from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., Sept. 23, at Amherst Junior High School, 548 Milan Ave., to increase preparedness at all levels and to assess the school emergency operations plan as required by Ohio law, according to an Amherst police news release.

The intent is for the schools and responding organizations to work together in preparing for the exercise by opening lines of communication, sharing ideas and experiences, identifying capabilities and limitations, agreeing on roles and responsibilities, and determining training goals and expectations.

Through this process, all organizations involved will have a better assessment of their own emergency plans and understand where improvements may be needed, the release said.

The goals of the exercise are:

• Provide the Amherst Schools with a firm assessment of its Emergency Operations Plan

• Provide the Amherst police with experience in coordinating a response to an active-shooter incident

• Increase the abilities of Amherst fire, LifeCare Ambulance, Metro Life Flight, University Hospitals - Amherst and Mercy Health Lorain Hospital to respond to a mass casualty situation

• Improve the abilities of local law enforcement and participating agencies to assist other agencies in emergencies

The active shooter exercise will be conducted on a school staff in-service day.

School will not be in session, and select teachers and other staff personnel will role play as students and staff, with some role players being outfitted with costume injuries, also known as moulage.

“Injured” role players will be evacuated from the school and transported to local hospitals for treatment, the release said.

Minimal impact to traffic on the roadways is expected.

Residents should expect to see a large number of police, fire and emergency vehicles and personnel in the area including SWAT and LifeFlight.

Also, residents may see school personnel moving quickly from the building for safety and possibly moving on foot in the surrounding neighborhoods, the release said.