| 'Gunmen'
to descend on USU Spectrum in drill exercise
By USU Media Relations & Marketing
September 25, 2007 | LOGAN -- It's a drill, only a
drill.
Four gunmen, armed with automatic weapons, handguns
and two improvised explosive devises, will enter Utah
State University's Dee Glen Smith Spectrum at 10 a.m.
Saturday, killing and wounding several during a mock
gymnastics meet.
The exercise is designed to test the emergency response
capabilities of Utah State University, Logan City, Cache
County and the Utah National Guard.
The exercise will involve more than 50 victims and
emergency response teams from several local and state
agencies including the Logan police and fire departments,
the Cache County Sheriff's Office and Fire Department,
USU police and facilities, the Bear River Health Department
and the Utah National Guard.
While response teams are essential, equally important
in this drill are volunteer victims from throughout
the community.
"An adequate number of people willing to play
the role of 'victims' is crucial to the success of this
drill," said Judy Crockett, USU emergency manager.
"The drill scenario requires a large-scale emergency
response, one predicated on an equally large number
of participants as victims."
Preparation for the disaster drill began over the
summer and has involved nearly 50 people in the planning
stages. Preparations included a three-hour mock-up of
the disaster held around a table covering every detail
of the emergency, step by step.
"We will never have the luxury of time in the event
of a real disaster, but we have time now to prepare,
and that is the purpose behind this exercise," said
Steve Mecham, executive director of USU Public Safety.
"It gives all of us a chance to test our communication
systems, our response time, our backup mechanisms, our
resources and our ability to think on our feet. It helps
us to identify strengths and weaknesses invaluable
information for saving lives. We always go on the premise
of not if a disaster will strike, but when. Drills are
the best way to prepare for the inevitable."
Those interested in participating in the emergency
drill, or would like to observe, should contact Crockett
as 435-797-0807.
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