WKCTC PLANS ACTIVE SHOOTER DRILL SEPT. 12

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PADUCAH, KY (09/07/2018) Area first responders will move methodically across the West Kentucky Community and Technical College campus Wednesday, September 12 as they practice responding to a mock campus shooting.

September is recognized as National Preparedness Month (NPM) which serves as a reminder that everyone must take action to prepare, now and throughout the year, for the types of emergencies that could affect where they live, work, and also where they visit.

David Wallace, director of security at WKCTC, said the college takes the opportunity to test its preparedness seriously. "The exercise will focus on the college and local emergency responders' command and control coordination, decisions and actions that are necessary to protect and save lives," Wallace said. "This exercise is a key part of our campus emergency crisis plan."

During the exercise, the college will go into "lockdown" in response to an active shooter scenario beginning at 9 am. A mock alert will be sent through the college's Safety Notification Alert Process (SNAP) and college entrances will be blocked for no more than 45 minutes. Paducah Police, fire personnel and Paducah 911 will participate in the exercise along with WKCTC nursing students who will help with makeup and exercise victims. No live ammunition will be used.

"We want to make this exercise as real as possible but we don't want the public, our students, or their families to be alarmed to see our gates closed and all the emergency vehicles on our campus," Wallace said. "It's a mock exercise. No one will be in danger."

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Special Note: Any media representative who would like to take part in the drill as spectators or to report on the drill must contact Tammy Thompson as soon as possible via telephone at (270) 534-3215 or email at tammy.thompson@kctcs.edu and plan to be on the campus for at least one hours.