Ohio State University: Police and first responders conduct training in campus area

The Ohio State University Police Division and Department of Public Safety took part in a county-wide, large-scale response exercise on Saturday, Aug. 28. Hosted by Franklin County Emergency Management and Homeland Security, the exercise brought together approximately 50 agencies in response to a set of fictitious scenarios playing out around Central Ohio.

The agencies responded collaboratively to multiple coordinated terrorist attacks with victims at multiple locations, including at the Newport Music Hall across High Street from the university’s Ohio Union.

“Our officers train countless hours to be prepared to respond to emergency situations,” said OSUPD Chief Kimberly Spears-McNatt. “We are thankful to Franklin County Emergency Management and Homeland Security, all the agency partners and volunteers that made this training as realistic as possible for our officers.”

The simulated scenario playing out inside the Newport involved a mass casualty incident and an active shooter. That was just one of multiple locations and simulations playing out across the county. The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center was one of many area hospitals that participated in the exercise ensuring that first responders and health care workers remain prepared to enhance safety.

The hundreds of participants represented public safety, medical, private and non-governmental sector agencies from across Franklin County. It allows all personnel a chance to validate concepts, procedures and training related to the immediate response to a series of coordinated attacks.

In 2019, Franklin County was awarded grant funding from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency to test and validate Franklin County’s response to an unfolding complex coordinated terrorist attack across the county.