Vernon to Host Major Regional Active-Shooter Training Drill

VERNON, CT — Rockville High School will be the scene of a a major, regional mass casualty training exercise on Friday,Oct. 7.

Police on Friday said the drill will be as close to "the real thing" as possible.

The drill will commence at about the time school normally lets out — 2:30 p.m. — and the drill will run until about 6 p.m., public safety officials said. There are no classes that day because of professional development.

Public safety officials said the drill will be "a full-scale exercise" that will simulate a school-based active-shooter and mass casualty incident to train first-responders and school officials.

The drill will involve "a large regional response" made up of several hundred law enforcement, fire and rescue, EMS and school officials.

The event is being staged in conjunction with the Capitol Regional Council of Governments.

Subject-matter experts from across the region will be participating to direct and evaluate the
event, public safety officials said.

There will be limited access the area after the start of the exercise due to Homeland
security safety controls that will be in place, public safety officials said. Police said will detail road closures and pedestrian restrictions early next week.

Photo Credit: Chris Dehnel