Stephens College to host active shooter training event

Public safety agencies will partner with Stephens College in coordinating a full scale active assailant exercise on Feb. 28.

The object of the event will be to evaluate local response agencies’ ability to establish initial command and coordinate on-site incident management operations during an active assailant incident.

Officials will also evaluate local response agencies performance in communicating with other agencies and the ability to effectively triage, treat, and transport all people in need.

“We’re incredibly grateful to Stephens College for the opportunity to host this kind of exercise on their campus,” said Lt. Lance Bolinger, Special Operations Commander. “Having Stephens provide the space and the role players to effectively execute this exercise is crucial to ensuring we’re properly prepared should we ever encounter this type of scenario in Columbia.”

Residents in the area should expect to see a number of emergency services operating as if the exercise was real.

The exercise will take place around Pillsbury Science Center and Windsor Auditorium buildings. The perimeter around the buildings will be inaccessible to residents in the area.

Police said there will also be a temporary total closure of East Walnut Street between College Avenue and Ripley Street. Ripley Street will also be closed between East Walnut Street and East Broadway for the exercise.

The event will be from 6 to 9 p.m.

Officers remind the public there will be no need to call 911.