On Wednesday, Nov. 1, an active shooter full-scale exercise was held at Quincy Junior-Senior High School. This exercise was designed to assist first responders and school staff to respond to unusual events that may challenge facilities and personnel, and impact local communities. The purpose of the full-scale exercise at Quincy High was to test local law enforcement, emergency medical services, and school staff, as well as other community partners who would respond to an incident involving an active shooter in the community.
“The exercise went well with strengths identified and many valuable lessons learned,” said Lori Beatley, Plumas County Public Health Agency public health officer. She said the next step in the process is the creation of an after-action report using the following information: exercise evaluations, participant feedback, notes from debriefing, and role player assessments.
Based on the information obtained from the full-scale exercise, strengths and areas of improvement will be identified. An improvement plan will be then developed, said Beatley.
The exercise process is conducted as a collaborative effort. There were more than 70 participants, 20 support staff (evaluators, observers, staff), and 30 role players involved in this exercise. The following agencies/organizations participated:
- Plumas County Sheriff’s Office
- California Highway Patrol
- United States Forest Service: Mount Hough Ranger District and law enforcement
- California Fish and Wildlife law enforcement
- Caltrans
- Care Flight: Plumas District Hospital ambulance
- Eastern Plumas Health Care ambulance
- Quincy Fire Department
- Meadow Valley Fire Department
- Quincy Junior-Senior High School
The following organizations and agencies provided support for the exercise:
- Plumas County Public Health Agency
- Plumas County Office of Emergency Services
- United States Forest Service: Beckwourth Ranger District
- California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services
- NorCal EMS
- Lassen County Public Health Department
- Glenn County Public Health Department
Beatley extended a special thank-you to the staff and students of Quincy Junior-Senior High School who volunteered to be role players for the exercise. “Without their involvement, the exercise would lack the realism which is needed in a full-scale exercise,” she said.
“The commitment of Plumas County’s first responders, schools, and other emergency organizations to the safety and welfare of our community is commendable and was demonstrated during this exercise,” said Beatley. “The continued coordination, training, and exercising of our first responders, healthcare system, and other community partners is vital for the safety and wellbeing of our community.”
Information submitted by Plumas County Public Health Agency
