Campus News

UB to stage simulated, full-scale, ‘active shooter’ exercise

Police car.

Local, state and federal law enforcement agencies will join the UB Police Department in conducting a full-scale "active shooter" exercise on Sunday.

By MICHAEL ANDREI

Published August 10, 2016 This content is archived.

Print
“This drill is important to do because we have never incorporated EMS and fire partners in an emergency exercise like this before. ”
Joshua B. Sticht, deputy chief
UB Police Department

The UB Police Department (UPD), in collaboration with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, will conduct a full-scale exercise designed to ensure coordinated, timely and effective response and recovery in the event of an “active shooter” emergency.

The exercise will take place from 8-11 a.m. Aug. 14 in and around Clemens Hall on the North Campus.

For the exercise, UPD also will collaborate with UB Emergency Management, Student Affairs, University Communications and the College of Arts and Sciences.

“This drill is important to do because we have never incorporated EMS and fire partners in an emergency exercise like this before,” says Joshua B. Sticht, deputy chief, UB Police. “We have done training with people from all over the state, and we have worked quite a bit with our law enforcement partners.

“But all of those exercises always stop at the point where the threat is neutralized. And we know from seeing these types of events in other places: That part of the event can be over very quickly, but there’s still so much work to be done getting injured people out, rescuing people who might be barricaded in place and searching to make sure we’ve accounted for all victims.”

The scenario also will involve the UB Alert system and command-level interaction with local police departments and emergency responders. The participating agencies will include Amherst Police, Erie County Sheriff’s Office, Buffalo FBI Office, Getzville Fire Department, Twin City Ambulance and Erie County Specialized Medical Assistance Response Team (SMART).

“It is critically important for us to know what the EMTs and firefighters expect out of us and that they have a good idea of what we are going to be able to do,” Sticht says.

During the exercise, there will be significant law enforcement tactical operations going on throughout Clemens Hall and in the area surrounding the building. Because of the sensitive nature of the activities, the university has decided to make this a law enforcement training exercise only.

The exercise is closed to the campus community and the general public.