SHOOTER DRILL: ECU tests readiness Aug. 2
East Carolina University officials plan a full-scale emergency drill Tuesday, Aug. 2, at the Health Sciences Building on the Health Sciences campus. This drill, a normal part of ECU emergency planning, is designed to prepare staff and law enforcement to respond to an active shooter on campus. All components of the Health Sciences building will be included in the drill with the majority of activity taking place at the College of Nursing.
People should be aware that the exercise may involve actors, emergency outdoor speakers and simulated use of weapons, said Tom Pohlman, environmental manager with ECU Environmental Health and Safety.
The drill on Aug. 2 will include multiple law enforcement, fire, EMS and emergency management agencies. The drill should be completed by 1 p.m.
The university will test a variety of emergency notification systems during this exercise, including outdoor speakers, VOIP phones, email, plasma screen TVs, pop-up boxes and text messaging. Pohlman said people should not be alarmed if they see or encounter those activities, especially VOIP phones.
“This is part of our effort to provide a safe and secure learning and working environment for the university and communities surrounding the university,” Pohlman said.
The drill will involve many agencies including ECU and Greenville police, the Pitt County Sheriff’s Department, the N.C. Highway Patrol, Greenville Fire and Rescue, Pitt County Emergency Services, and Pitt Emergency Management. University employees not assigned to the Health Sciences building are asked to report to work as usual.
Those assigned to work in the Health Sciences building should consult their supervisors.
Students, faculty, staff and visitors are advised to avoid the following areas between 7:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on the day of the drill:
• Health Sciences complex,
• Parking lot north of Health Sciences building,
• Laupus Library parking lot
• Overflow parking south of Health Sciences.
Some streets and parking areas on campus may be blocked, including Emergency Way from N.C. 43 to Campus Loop Road.
The Brody School of Medicine, the Outpatient Clinic, East Carolina Heart Institute and Family Medicine Center may be accessed by taking Moye Boulevard to Campus Loop Road or taking Arlington Road to Heart Drive.
Staff and faculty with case-specific questions about their work or study areas should contact their direct supervisors.
For other additional information, contact Mary Schulken, ECU director of public affairs, 252-328-6482 or schulkenma@ecu.edu.
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