University Communications and Marketing

MSU Billings and partners conduct active shooter response drill

16-agency drill held April 9

University Communications and Marketing, 657-2266

MSU BILLINGS NEWS—On April 9, Montana State University Billings, in partnership with 16 agencies and organizations, conducted an Active Shooter Response drill at the Physical Education building on the university campus.

The drill focused on the university and community’s response to an active shooter incident using a unified approach. Organizations that participated in this event included Montana State University Billings, MSU Billings Police Department, Billings Police Department, Billings Fire Department, American Medical Response, St. Vincent Healthcare, Billings Clinic, RiverStone Health, Yellowstone Amateur Radio Emergency Series (YARES), Yellowstone County Disaster Emergency Service (DES), United Way of Yellowstone County, Montana Disaster Emergency Services (DES), Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting, Hope K-9 Teams, Billings 9-1-1, United Way, Billings Public Schools.

K.C. Williams, Disaster Emergency Services Coordinator for Yellowstone County states, “The Local Emergency Planning Committee has been conducting tabletop exercises and active shooter response drills for several years. However, this is the first time that the drill has encompassed 16 agencies. We understand the importance of conducting this type of drill to include all stakeholders in public safety.”

Four key objectives were outlined as areas of evaluation including On-Scene Security, Protection, and Law Enforcement; Operational Coordination; Public Health, Healthcare and Emergency Medical Service; and Operational Communication.

Billings Police Chief St. John adds, “I am pleased to see such a proactive approach to the active shooter response drill being conducted by the LEPC. At the university, MSU Billings is responsible for the safety and wellbeing of students, faculty, staff, and community members. As leaders we need to be proactive in our planning and implementation of current safety techniques. The active shooter response drill at MSU Billings is just one example of how the partnerships between members of the LEPC and community organizations are working to provide a safe environment for all of our students and community members in the City of Billings.”

Over one hundred volunteers were involved in the drill, coordinated primarily through United Way.

For more information, visit www.msubillings.edu or call 657-2266.