On July 29, our campus will host more than 150 law enforcement officers, firefighters and paramedics to participate in an active harmer response exercise. This is critical training that will help the CU-麻豆影院 Police Department and our partners around the county prepare for such an incident. We hope we never need to put this training into use, but we also know that active harmer situations are sadly becoming more common across the country.
If you see a large police presence on the southern edge of campus on Wednesday, July 29, please do not be alarmed. Officers will be firing blank rounds inside buildings, so also please know that these noises are associated with this drill.
The exercise will be held from 12 to 9 p.m. in the Fleming Building and Kittredge West residence hall. The Wolf Law building will be used from 5:30 to 9 p.m. These facilities will allow law enforcement and fire personnel to train in classrooms, courtrooms, cafeterias and other gathering areas. The training areas will be clearly marked and off-limits to anyone not participating in the exercise. Variable messaging signs will notify the public in the area that a police training is in progress. In addition to these outreach efforts and this CU-麻豆影院 Today article, we are notifying local media to help reassure the public that this activity is part of a drill.
We would not be able to conduct this important training without the support from the Chancellor鈥檚 Office and the Vice Chancellor for Administration and cooperation from Parking & Transportation Services, Housing & Dining Services, impacted building proctors, department chairs and students, faculty and staff who use the Fleming Building, Wolf Law and Kittredge West. On behalf of CUPD and all the training participants, we thank you for the sacrifices you are making. If you have questions about work arrangements for that day, please talk with your supervisor.
This drill is just one of many CUPD efforts to prepare the campus for such an emergency. Last year, we began trauma kit training to CU affiliates. And you can access our Active Harmer Response Training on the university鈥檚 SkillSoft portal. The exercise next week presents another opportunity to solidify and reinforce the working, collaborative relationships we have with our law enforcement partners in the city and around the county.
While on the topic of active harmer incidents, I want to encourage you to watch a video on the CUPD website that provides tips on how to respond to such an event. The 鈥淩un. Hide. Fight: Surviving an Active Shooter Event鈥� video was produced by the City of Houston Mayor's Office of Public Safety and Homeland Security and you can find it on the CUPD website at . This video explains the following tips if you witness an active harmer incident:
- Run: If safe, get away from where the shooting is occurring.
- Hide: If you cannot escape, find a secure area to hide. Lock doors. Turn off lights. Silence phones. Look for potential weapons.
- Fight: As a last resort, if a shooter appears to be ready to harm you, fight back. Use weapons. Tackle the shooter. Take away the suspect鈥檚 weapon. Hold the suspect until police arrive.
Again, I want to thank the entire campus community for its patience and support of this important exercise on July 29.
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Melissa Zak
Police Chief, 麻豆影院
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