Habersham County conducts active shooter response training at North Georgia Technical College

Multiple units with Habersham County Emergency Services held Wednesday an emergency response training exercise at North Georgia Technical College. 

Habersham County Public Information Officer Rob Moore said units participated in an active shooter scenario.

Habersham County E-911/Emergency Management Agency, Habersham County Emergency Services, Habersham County Sheriff’s Office and Clarkesville Fire Department participated, as well as members of the campus community and North Georgia Technical College Police Department.  

Habersham County E-911/EMA Director Lynn Smith said planning for the event began in September. 

“They wanted to exercise just a campus response, so we tried to make it smaller where we could just involve them and not have a lot of outside resources coming in,” Smith said. “I think that overall, it went pretty well for it to be their first time. We had an active shooter who went in the dining hall and then out of the dining hall into another building. We had several victims. We did involve EMS and Fire and I think it went pretty well.”

Moore said personnel and college officials held a debriefing to discuss what went well and what could be improved after the exercise. 

“I think they did really well,” Smith said. “I think that one of our challenges here, as they would be on any college campus, is identifying the buildings, knowing where you are, and getting people to the right places.”

NGTC President John Wilkerson thanked community partners as well as those on campus, for helping with his priority of maintaining the safety of students, staff and faculty.

Georgia Emergency Management Agency/Homeland Security was present as well.

North Georgia Technical College Police Chief Mark Fitzpatrick, who began work in January, talks with those involved in Wednesday morning’s exercise on campus. (Habersham County photo/Rob Moore)

Habersham County Emergency Services ambulances assemble outside the dining hall after the scene is secured. (Habersham County photo/Rob Moore)

Deputy Brad Robertson discusses the sheriff’s office response as Deputy Cody Parker listens. (Habersham County photo/Rob Moore)

Emergency vehicles are shown outside the Ramsey Hunter Dining Hall on the North Georgia Technical College campus in Clarkesville. (Habersham County photo/Rob Moore)

http://accesswdun.com/article/2023/12/1218861/habersham-county-conducts-emergency-response-training-at-north-georgia-technical-college