Emergency Exercise Tests Response to Simulated School Shooting
A comprehensive emergency drill simulating a mass-casualty shooting was conducted on March 30, 2024, at John Kerr Elementary in Winchester. This exercise involved public safety, school, and government officials aiming to assess their preparedness for a critical incident. The drill brought together participants from various agencies, including the Winchester Police Department, Virginia Department of Emergency Management, and local healthcare providers, highlighting a collaborative effort to enhance emergency response capabilities.
The exercise, which lasted four hours, was led by Ethan Longenecker, the emergency management coordinator for the city. Longenecker noted that this drill was the culmination of a training process initiated in 2022, following a similar exercise at Handley High School. “This exercise was an assessment to see if that training was effective,” he explained, emphasizing the importance of collaboration among the approximately 300 participants.
Simulating a Crisis Response
The scenario unfolded with a designated shooter inside the school, prompting immediate lockdown protocols. At 09:00, an announcement echoed through the school’s loudspeakers, initiating the drill. Emergency responders arrived within five minutes, equipped with non-lethal airsoft weapons to mimic real-life conditions safely. The drill included the participation of personnel from multiple agencies, such as the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office and Valley Health, alongside volunteers acting as victims and students.
During the exercise, police were tasked with neutralizing the threat while ensuring the safety of students and assessing injuries. Longenecker highlighted that the effectiveness of their response would be evaluated, stating, “The collaboration of all the agencies involved is huge.” As part of the exercise, participants had to determine the number of assailants involved, reflecting the unpredictability of real-life situations.
Post-Incident Procedures and Debriefing
After securing the building, responders began evacuating the wounded, utilizing stretchers and coordinating with ambulances stationed nearby. Each victim was assigned a card detailing their injuries, allowing paramedics to prioritize care effectively. As the drill progressed, it was reported that four individuals had “expired,” with adult volunteers portraying the wounded and simulated deceased victims.
Counselors were also made available to assist students who may have experienced trauma during the event. Following the drill, uninjured students were transported to Daniel Morgan Middle School, where a reunification center was established for parents to collect their children.
In a post-drill press conference, Winchester Police Chief Ronnie Lewis confirmed that the shooter had been neutralized but refrained from disclosing details about the victims. Winchester Public Schools Superintendent Jason Van Heukelum assured that counselors were dispatched to support students during their reunification with families.
The exercise concluded with a debriefing session at Daniel Morgan Middle School, where participants were encouraged to engage in honest discussions about their performance. Longenecker expressed the commitment to continuous improvement, stating, “We will create an after-action report and an improvement plan based on that after-action report.”
This drill served as a crucial opportunity for local agencies to refine their crisis response strategies and enhance coordination in the face of potential emergencies.
