Crime & Safety

West Suburban Police Will Conduct 'Active School Shooter' Drill

Training exercise will test emergency preparedness of local first responders to an active mass shooter in a school scenario.


In what has become a sad reality in American society, the Downers Grove Police and Fire Departments, along withMidwestern UniversityAdvocate Good Samaritan Hospital and other west suburban police departments will be conducting a training exercise this Friday simulating an active shooter in a school scenario.

The purpose of the exercise is to test the emergency preparedness of the participating agencies, determine effectiveness and see where improvements or adjustments are needed. The training exercise will take place at Midwestern University’s Downers Grove campus at 555 W. 31st St.

The training exercise will simulate an incident requiring field responders to perform maneuvers and actions associated with an active shooter in a school, including:

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  • Threat neutralization

  • Victim rescue

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  • Triage

  • Site security

  • Crowd control

  • Crisis communication


  • Other participants in the training exercise include the Oak Brook, Lombard, Woodridge and Darien police departments, Midwestern University, Downers Grove Grade School District 58, Community High School District 99, and Good Samaritan Hospital.

    "Our goal is to prepare first responders, school personnel, and emergency medical providers using as much realism as possible,” Downers Grove Police Chief Robert Porter said in a news advisory. “Of course we all hope something like this never happens, but working together in advance with our partners at the schools, hospital and neighboring agencies is the best way for everyone to be ready if this does occur.”

    Midwestern University President and CEO Kathleen H. Goeppinger hoped the active-school-shooter training exercise would increase awareness of public safety at schools.

    "The safety and security of our faculty, staff and students is of utmost importance to Midwestern University,” Goeppinger said. “By partnering with our local community, we hope to increase awareness of the most effective and current techniques to secure a campus in the event of any unforeseen tragedy. Midwestern is proud to participate in this educational training.”

    Those passing by Midwestern University in the early morning hours on July 11 may notice public safety vehicles arriving, however all event activity will take place on campus which will be closed to the public.


    Source: Village of Downers Grove


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