Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout14-01-02 Bakersfield College Scenario Announcement Final Release BAKERSFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT PRESS RELEASE Greg Williamson, Chief of Police Contact: Sergeant Joe Grubbs Public Information Officer 661-326-3803 jgrubbs@bakersfieldpd.us Updated Release January 2, 2014 The Bakersfield Police Department in conjunction with our public safety partners conducted a training scenario this morning at Bakersfield College. This scenario tested the capabilities of Kern County First Responders’ response to a crisis event in our community. This event was very successful and displayed the working relationships that all public service agencies in our community enjoy. Ultimately over 300 personnel from eleven public and private service agencies participated in this scenario. In addition, numerous explorers from the Bakersfield Police Department, Kern County Sheriff Department, Hall Ambulance and Bakersfield City and Kern County Fire Departments participated. The explorers worked as actors to bring much needed realism to this active shooter scenario. Many of the explorers volunteered their time during their winter break to participate in this exercise. Many of the service providers also volunteered their time on their day off to participate in and ensure the success of this training exercise. Participants began arriving at Bakersfield College at 6:00 am. The actual exercise began at 9:20 am and concluded at approximately 1:30 pm. The exercise began with a simulated explosion on a GET bus on the Bakersfield College Red and White Way entrance off of Mt. Vernon Ave. After the explosion armed suspects entered the campus shooting several students and then barricading themselves with hostages in the math science building and later in the language arts building. Suspects also set several improvised explosive devices in various locations around both of those buildings. Each of these problems had to be tactically solved by responding officers, SWAT teams and bomb squads. While this was occurring, fire department and Hall ambulance personnel were treating and evacuating wounded victims. Kern County Mental Health and the American Red Cross also had personnel on scene to offer services to the victims. Kern County Superintendent of Schools personnel and officials from the Norris School District also attended to practice their part in student reunification. This scenario is a great example of public service agencies coming together to ensure sufficient capabilities are in place to respond to any type of public safety threat, be it natural or man-made, in a unified and comprehensive approach. We would like to thank each of our public safety partners for sharing this effort with us and thank Bakersfield College for the use of their facility and their participation in testing their emergency response plan ensuring the safety of their students. Previous Release January 1, 2014 The roadways around Bakersfield College will be unaffected by this exercise. Previous Release January 1, 2014 The Bakersfield Police Department is reminding the public that there will be a crisis response training exercise at Bakersfield College tomorrow, January 2, 2014. First responder personnel will begin arriving on the campus at approximately 6:00 am and will be on campus for most of the day. The public is reminded that this event is an exercise only. Details regarding the type of crisis will be revealed as the exercise unfolds tomorrow. The Bakersfield Police Department is inviting local media to attend the exercise. First Responder Public Information Officers will be available for interviews tomorrow morning at 6:00 am and the exercise will begin at 9:00 am. Previous Release December 2, 2013 The Bakersfield Police Department in partnership with Bakersfield College is announcing a crisis response training exercise that will take place at Bakersfield College on January 2, 2014. The event is anticipated to begin at 9:00 a.m. with participants arriving at the College at about 6:00 a.m. The exercise will take most of the day and involve the entire Bakersfield College campus. Although the campus will not be closed only limited access to Bakersfield College services and offices will be available. Additional details regarding this training exercise will be forthcoming. This scenario is a multi-disciplinary exercise that will involve multiple first responders from partnering agencies including the Bakersfield Police Department, Bakersfield College, Bakersfield Fire Department, Kern County Sheriff’s Department, Kern County Fire Department, Hall Ambulance, Kern County Mental Health, Kern County Environmental Health, Kern Medical Center, Kern County Superintendent of Schools, and the Red Cross. You can now send an anonymous text message to the Bakersfield Police Department. It’s quick and it’s easy. Simply enter 274637 into your phone and text BPDCRIMES along with your message. The text is sent to the police department and the sender remains completely anonymous. Tips can also be anonymously sent through the smartphone “TipSubmit” mobile App or via email at https://www.tipsubmit.com.