Active Shooter Training at West Delaware on Wednesday

An active shooter training will be taking place at West Delaware High School this Wednesday afternoon.

The West Delaware Community School District is partnering with local law enforcement, fire, EMS and Emergency Management to conduct a full-scale active intruder exercise. Delaware County Emergency Management Coordinator Mandy Bieber says they have been working to increase school security presence for the past three years – and Wednesday’s exercise will be the culmination. 

Wednesdays are early dismissal day for West Delaware, so after the students have left, the exercise will begin at 3 pm. 

Manchester Police, the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, the Manchester Fire Department, EMS, Iowa State Patrol and Governor’s School Safety Bureau will all be participating. Bieber says the exercise will test such response capabilities as evacuation, threat neutralization, triage and transport, reunification, operational coordination, and emergency communications. 

West Delaware staff will be participating in the active shooter exercise as well. Superintendent Jen Vance says it’s an opportunity to practice side-by-side with local law enforcement, fire and EMS. 

Officials want to emphasize that this will only be a training exercise and there is no threat to the public. All rounds used will be blanks, and multiple safety checks will be conducted to ensure a controlled environment. Volunteer role players will portray victims with simulated injuries created using theatrical makeup. Officers, firefighters, and EMS personnel will respond to those simulated injuries as part of the training scenario coming up on Wednesday afternoon at the high school.

The West Delaware Community School District and participating agencies appreciate the community’s understanding and support as they continue working to keep students, staff, and schools safe.

photo courtesy of Janelle Tucker/KMCH