GRANVILLE — Several Licking County emergency response teams converged on the campus of Denison University this morning, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2009,  for a three-hour training exercise. More than 90 police, fire and ambulance personnel participated in the practice scenario, during which volunteers acted out roles for a hostage situation related to domestic violence. The drill’s activities were confined to the area in and around the college’s William Howard Doane Library.

While real emergencies reflecting this scenario are extremely rare, the 2008 Higher Education Reauthorization Act requires colleges to test their emergency preparedness, and Denison takes a comprehensive and proactive approach to preparedness. The drill demonstrated the successful operations of Denison’s multi-tiered systems of emergency notification, as well as the effective mobilization of college personnel.

Exercises of this nature are particularly helpful in providing training opportunities for local police, fire and ambulance personnel.

“This kind of exercise is important for the continued training of emergency-response personnel,” says Jeffrey W. Walker, director of Licking County’s Office of Homeland Security Emergency Management. “It raises awareness, improves planning and builds coordinated response for emergencies—wherever they may occur in Licking County.”

This morning’s drill was organized by the Licking County Office Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with Denison’s Office of Safety, Security and Risk Management. Other participating agencies included the Granville Police Department and the Granville Township Fire Department.

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