The Fonda-Fultonville Central School District partnered with Montgomery County Emergency Services to conduct a large-scale emergency preparedness drill with several other agencies on the school campus Wednesday, Aug. 21.
The purpose of the drill was to practice and improve communications between and among agencies and different levels of government in emergency situations. The drill put a focus on Montgomery County’s response to an active threat incident and included several local and state public safety organizations. It was funded by a grant from the Department of Homeland Security.
“Our participation is an indication of how seriously we take the safety of our students and the adults in our school buildings,” Fonda-Fultonville Central School District Superintendent of Schools Thomas Ciaccio said. “What we learned from the drill will only enhance our efforts to ensure a safe and secure environment for all who are part of our school community.”
“No one wants to imagine a scenario like this could ever happen in our community, but we need to be prepared for the unthinkable,” Sheriff Jeffery T. Smith said. “This was an elaborate training simulation, meant to keep authorities sharp and prepared.”
“The incident was not real; however the response activities during this fictional exercise were practiced in a manner that is as realistic as possible,” Emergency Management Director Rick Sager said. “It was an important opportunity for emergency responders and the school district to test procedures and ultimately strengthen them.”