The drill scene-setter: An agitated young man bursts into the Small Amphitheater at the Centennial Complex of Loma Linda University, brandishing a handgun and screaming at a professor giving a lecture inside. The young man then runs out the door, leaving those inside the amphitheater scared, but with the presence of mind to alert security and put the facility on lockdown.
For some people on campus, this scene played out recently as part of a “table top” drill, which was meant to test emergency response to a mock-scenario of a shooter on campus.
A morning drill was conducted at the Drayson Center, while an afternoon drill was conducted at the Centennial Complex. The university typically conducts two drills a year, a limited-size one in the Spring, and a university-wide drill in the Fall to test students, faculty and staff’s readiness for disasters.
University procedures call for initiating a lockdown in the event of school violence or shooting incident. During lockdowns, people should try to isolate themselves, their coworkers and students from exposure to a violent individual or shooter on campus.
“This type of drill actually raises more questions than answers, which is what we want, because we want to be educated about how to best prepare for this type of emergency,” said Floyd Ferguson, a dental supply manager and facilitator of the drill.
He said the ”table top” drill, which involved participants on a panel reading out the scenario and then discussing the responses and other issues with the audience, identified three things that could be further explored before the Fall drill:
- Strengthening awareness and training of students, faculty and staff about responding to emergencies.
- Designing coordinated emergency responses for specific buildings and locations, instead of by schools, such as a coordinated response among the different schools that make use of the Centennial Complex.
- Presenting a short video during student orientation to make them aware of the emergencies that may occur on campus and how to prepare for them.
Get registered today for the ninth annual Loma Linda University Medical Center East Campus’ annual PossAbilities triathlon, which happens on Sunday, April 17, at 7 a.m. at the Drayson Center, 25040 Stewart St.
Online registration is available until 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, April 14, on the PossAbilities website.
The adult triathlon will consist of a 3.1 mile run, 11 mile bike and 150 yard swim. There is also a 5K Run/Walk/Roll and a Kids Triathlon, which will be a 1/2 mile run, 1/2 mile bike and 50 yard swim. $3400 total purse for Triathlon. $350 total purse for the 5K. Early packet pickup at the Drayson Center on soccer field on April 16 from 6-8 p.m. Race Day registration starts at 5:30 a.m. Race starts at 7 a.m.
