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LOGAN — Campus police at Utah State University put themselves up against an active shooter during a drill on Tuesday.
Since campus police are already at the university, they would be the first to react. Chief Steve Mecham says there's no time to wait for SWAT or other agencies to arrive, so that's why this training is so important. Their officers have to be ready to engage the shooter before more people die.
During the drill, USU campus police cleared rooms on the floor of a building and ushered victims out to safety. "It's got two hallways on each floor that the officers are going to have to deal with," Mecham said.
Ever since Virginia tech, I think colleges, universities throughout the United States have been preparing for such an event that could happen on their campus.
–USU Police Chief Steve Mecham
On another floor, a fake firefight started.
"We'll have a shooter with blanks," Mecham said, explaining the drill. "And we'll have a number of victims."
Mecham says this has become the unfortunate reality.
"Ever since Virginia Tech, I think colleges, universities throughout the United States have been preparing for such an event that could happen on their campus," he said.
His department put a dozen officers through the drill on Tuesday. Mecham says they took the opportunity to train because the Mountain View Tower dormitory was available. The building gives them a chance for a more complex exercise with dozens of rooms on each floor.
Efforts like this are organized by Judy Crockett, USU's own full-time Emergency Manager. She says this is probably the hardest part of her job.
"I don't want these types of things to happen," Crockett said. "But if they do, I want us to be prepared and ready to handle it."
I don't want these types of things to happen. But if they do, I want us to be prepared, and ready to handle it.
–Judy Crockett, USU Emergency Manager
But much of her role goes beyond the incident, well after the injured are treated.
Crockett said it's also about how university officials are "going to identify victims, if something of this nature occurs."
She says there are many campus and local organizations that would have to be involved in getting information to the public and in helping students and the community move forward.
"We need to look at the mental health aspect," Crockett said. "That may not happen right then on scene, but may happen a couple days later."
That side of the training will take place next week and will involve student services, housing and a local hospital.
Tuesday's drill also gave firefighters, paramedics and local law enforcement the opportunity to coordinate where and how they would set up to offer support.
