Don’t be alarmed. The heavy response by police, fire and ambulance crews converging on Chico High this morning and throughout the day is only a drill.
Today’s training won’t be much different than one held across town at Chico’s other high school at the end of June.
But, coming less than a week after a gunman killed three at a food festival in Gilroy, the mass shooter drill may be a bit unnerving.
Kelly Staley, Chico Unified School District’s Superintendent stressed in a statement that communication and coordination among first responders is critical in responding to such emergencies.
Local authorities are tight lipped about strategy and tactics, fearing such information could fall into the wrong hands.
Protocols have changed somewhat in recent decades. In 1999 officers responding to active shooters at Columbine High School awaited the assembly of a SWAT team. By the time authorities entered the building 13 were dead and the gunmen had both committed suicide.
Authorities are now likely to intervene more quickly. Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security and other Law Enforcement groups are urging potential victims — the general public — to react to a shooter by running, hiding or fighting.
The active shooter training is scheduled to get underway at 7 and continue until 4. Streets around Chico High may be impacted with detours or closures.