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Jefferson County Drill Alarms Residents

By Joel Hardy

03/18/2014

(KAIR)--Jefferson County officials conducted an active shooter drill at McLouth Elementary School Tuesday, alarming residents who did not know it was just practice.

Those listening to police scanners heard what appeared to be a real, ongoing active shooting scenario at the school and quickly spread the word on social media sites. Jefferson County Emergency Management Director Mike Baxter says radio traffic is part of the drill because it would be part of a real situation, and like everything else, must be practiced.

Baxter says there was plenty of warning given in advance that the drill would take place. The school outreach program sent messages to everyone that has signed up to receive their messages. He also says that “the school district has been talking to the parents for the past few weeks, in reference that this was going to be going on”.

Baxter says the drill is thorough, with the county bringing in all resources to test them in a realistic threat situation. Over 26 different participants took part in the test, acting in various roles such as patients, teachers, and other school staff members.

Baxter says the drill had been in the planning stages for the past several months. He adds they are only conducted when the school has a day off, and students are not present.