Active Shooter Drill At Secaucus High School Sept. 2

Secaucus NJ

26 August, 2021

12:59 PM

Description

SECAUCUS, NJ — The Secaucus Police Department, along with other town first responders, will conduct an active shooter drill at Secaucus High School next Thursday, September 2. It is important to note: There will be no students on the property during the drill, though administrators and volunteer teachers from the Secaucus school district will be present to add realism to the event and improve the school's emergency planning. The first day of school for Secaucus students will be Sept. 8. Secaucus Police announced Thursday they will be doing this. Residents should expect to see an influx of law enforcement and other first responders starting around 8 a.m. next Thursday at Secaucus High School and Schmidt's Woods. It is essential that parents and residents understand they will have no access to the Secaucus High School complex on the day of the drill. The exercise will also involve the Secaucus Fire Department, as well as EMS from Hudson Regional Hospital. The Secaucus Office of Emergency Management, Hudson County Office of Emergency Management, New Jersey State Police and Secaucus Department of Public Works will also participate. The scenario was developed by the Secaucus Police Department's Planning, Special Events and Intelligence Section, led by Captain Carlos Goyenechea. It will include a law enforcement response coordinated with other emergency responders and medical personnel during an active shooter event. The exercise is intended to improve the capabilities of all involved. "Although the Secaucus Police Department routinely trains in active shooter response, I feel the effectiveness of that training needs to be tested under the most realistic conditions possible," SPD Chief Dennis Miller said. "Tactical professionals from the New Jersey State Police and the Hudson County Regional SWAT Team will evaluate and critique my officers' response and actions during the drill, which will only enhance our effectiveness and maximize the safety of both the citizenry and our first responders." "Local police departments are the first responders in most active shooter incidents so it is vital that local police officers have the best training possible. I commend the Secaucus Police Department for doing all they can to ensure the safety of the community they serve," said Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez. "While we certainly hope the training and protocols put in place to deal with an active shooter never have to be used, I am thankful that our Police Department is conducting the training, so they are prepared to protect our community against all potential threats," said Mayor Mike Gonnelli. Be the first to know. Sign up to get Patch emails: https://patch.com/subscribe Contact this Patch reporter: [email protected]