Spring Break
Tactical drills will run next Thursday for local law enforcement
Even before the VT massacre, OSU already had implemented plans for emergencies
Jennifer Meyer
Issue date: 4/26/07 Section: News
Training, exercising and running drills are some of the best ways to prepare for the challenges ahead.
The Corvallis Police Department, Philomath Police Department, Benton County Sheriff's Office, Oregon State Police and the OSP Special Weapons and Tactics Team will be on campus May 3 from 9 a.m. to noon running drills.
The agencies will run emergency scenarios in the Heckert and Reed Lodge area of S.W. Jefferson Way. The drill, though timely due to the tragedy a Virginia Tech, is regularly scheduled.
It is an annual training event that was scheduled to take place in Salem - but because of the Virginia Tech shooting and campus thoughts on safety - officials moved the training to campus.
S.W. Jefferson Way, between S.W. 30th Street and S.W. 26th Street will be closed for the training.
"I think this will show people that the law enforcement, as well as university leadership, really does think about these things often," said university spokesman Todd Simmons.
Lt. Phil Zerzan of the Oregon State Police, who responded to the Thurston High School shooting in 1998, expressed his daily apprehensions for student and faculty safety on campus and in the Corvallis community.
"Even before the shootings at Virginia Tech, I think about this everyday. It's one of my concerns for OSU," Zerzan said. "We hope for the best but plan for the worst."
Administrators have been talking about communication, Simmons said. They have been asking if they can talk to each other and to students in a more effective manner.
"In light of the tragedy that occurred at Virginia Tech, we, along with other campuses, are looking at what lessons can be learned and improvements made," Zerzan said.
Ellen Taylor, the director of university counseling and psychological services is a part of OSU's Critical Response Team.
The team is comprised of members from Student Health Services, Student Conduct, law enforcement, student peer educators and is chaired by Dean of Student Life Jackie Balzer.
The Corvallis Police Department, Philomath Police Department, Benton County Sheriff's Office, Oregon State Police and the OSP Special Weapons and Tactics Team will be on campus May 3 from 9 a.m. to noon running drills.
The agencies will run emergency scenarios in the Heckert and Reed Lodge area of S.W. Jefferson Way. The drill, though timely due to the tragedy a Virginia Tech, is regularly scheduled.
It is an annual training event that was scheduled to take place in Salem - but because of the Virginia Tech shooting and campus thoughts on safety - officials moved the training to campus.
S.W. Jefferson Way, between S.W. 30th Street and S.W. 26th Street will be closed for the training.
"I think this will show people that the law enforcement, as well as university leadership, really does think about these things often," said university spokesman Todd Simmons.
Lt. Phil Zerzan of the Oregon State Police, who responded to the Thurston High School shooting in 1998, expressed his daily apprehensions for student and faculty safety on campus and in the Corvallis community.
"Even before the shootings at Virginia Tech, I think about this everyday. It's one of my concerns for OSU," Zerzan said. "We hope for the best but plan for the worst."
Administrators have been talking about communication, Simmons said. They have been asking if they can talk to each other and to students in a more effective manner.
"In light of the tragedy that occurred at Virginia Tech, we, along with other campuses, are looking at what lessons can be learned and improvements made," Zerzan said.
Ellen Taylor, the director of university counseling and psychological services is a part of OSU's Critical Response Team.
The team is comprised of members from Student Health Services, Student Conduct, law enforcement, student peer educators and is chaired by Dean of Student Life Jackie Balzer.
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