Stephens College prepares for active-shooter training event
Stephens College is preparing to host an active-shooter training event on Feb. 28. from 6 to 9 p.m,, but streets will start to close closer to 5 p.m.
The college wants first responders to have additional training in the event a shooter were to come on campus.
Ken Hammond, the director of safety and security for Stephens College, said, “We have at least 20 theater students that will be role-playing as victims. We have a group of staff and faculty that will be volunteering as well.”
Fire officials said local schools seem to be well-prepared if there were to be an active shooter, but they can never have enough training.
Brad Fraizer, the assistant chief of the Columbia Fire Department, said, “This training gives police and fire in particular an opportunity to work together as a team. We speak very different languages throughout our day-to-day jobs, so this really gives us a chance to work on integrating what we do individually.”
College officials are warning residents there will be a lot of police activity in the area on Feb. 28 and there will 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.
After the Florida high school shooting, MU officials handed out active-shooter tip sheets to all its students, faculty and staff.
The MU chancellor has advised all students, faculty and staff, in the event of hearing gunfire or receiving an alert regarding a shooter, to stop what they are doing and determine whether they need to run, hide or fight.
