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SUMMIT COUNTY — Civilians have nothing to fear Wednesday when the SWAT team responds to an intruder at Summit High School; The county's emergency responders are simply conducting what has become an annual exercise in preparedness.
More than 100 participants from 16 entities — including police, fire and health professionals — are expected at the high school and Upper Blue Elementary School to provide support for the full-scale emergency simulation.
“The planning that goes into this is unbelievable,” said Summit County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Paulette Horr.
She said the planning committee on which she serves has been meeting regularly for the past six months. The scenario is designed by county emergency manager Joel Cochran.
Last year's simulation involved a wildfire threat causing evacuation of St. Anthony Summit Medical Center and about 600 homes and businesses. The year before, an explosion was simulated at Keystone, with stuffed bears serving as victims, Horr said.
Wednesday's events are to unfold between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. A hostage negotiation is to occur in Farmer's Korner.
“All people evacuated from the high school go to Upper Blue Elementary to be reunited with family members and be interviewed with detectives,” Horr said.
She said announcements — in Spanish and English — will be left at residences in Farmer's Korner and Breckenridge to ensure the public is aware of the simulation.
Such simulations are common practice in Colorado counties.
“It just puts you in the mindset of how you would handle emergency situations like that,” Horr said.
Summit School District superintendent Millie Hamner said in an e-mail to parents that more than 50 staff members are to participate in the simulation.
“The emergency exercise provides district personnel an excellent opportunity to evaluate our existing lockdown, evacuation, emergency communications and reunification procedures and ensure the safety of our students,” according to the e-mail.
Robert Allen can be contacted at (970) 668-4628 or rallen@summitdaily.com.
More than 100 participants from 16 entities — including police, fire and health professionals — are expected at the high school and Upper Blue Elementary School to provide support for the full-scale emergency simulation.
“The planning that goes into this is unbelievable,” said Summit County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Paulette Horr.
She said the planning committee on which she serves has been meeting regularly for the past six months. The scenario is designed by county emergency manager Joel Cochran.
Last year's simulation involved a wildfire threat causing evacuation of St. Anthony Summit Medical Center and about 600 homes and businesses. The year before, an explosion was simulated at Keystone, with stuffed bears serving as victims, Horr said.
Wednesday's events are to unfold between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. A hostage negotiation is to occur in Farmer's Korner.
“All people evacuated from the high school go to Upper Blue Elementary to be reunited with family members and be interviewed with detectives,” Horr said.
She said announcements — in Spanish and English — will be left at residences in Farmer's Korner and Breckenridge to ensure the public is aware of the simulation.
Such simulations are common practice in Colorado counties.
“It just puts you in the mindset of how you would handle emergency situations like that,” Horr said.
Summit School District superintendent Millie Hamner said in an e-mail to parents that more than 50 staff members are to participate in the simulation.
“The emergency exercise provides district personnel an excellent opportunity to evaluate our existing lockdown, evacuation, emergency communications and reunification procedures and ensure the safety of our students,” according to the e-mail.
Robert Allen can be contacted at (970) 668-4628 or rallen@summitdaily.com.
