MSU Crisis Action Team, SOSD, local first responders practice emergency preparedness with Friday training exercise
Contact: Allison Matthews
STARKVILLE, Miss.—Mississippi State’s Crisis Action Team, MSU Police and collaborating local first responders have conducted training today [June 6] with an emergency preparedness exercise on a hypothetical scenario coordinated by MSU Emergency Management.
The exercise was conducted at Partnership Middle School, located on the north side of campus. The school is not in session, and leaders from the Starkville Oktibbeha School District were part of the exercise.
“The Mississippi State University Crisis Action Team meets regularly to train for emergencies. However, today’s full-scale exercise allowed us to work through a realistic scenario and focus on response efforts, such as emergency notifications, evacuations and medical care. The exercise also emphasized the importance of coordination and communication during a crisis,” said MSU Emergency Manager Brent Crocker. “If a large-scale emergency occurs, Mississippi State and other first responders will be better prepared to act. We appreciate the participation of our local and state agencies and continue to strengthen our relationships.”
The exercise also included the university’s Critical Incident Response Team, Office of Public Affairs, Division of Student Affairs, Dean of Students, Campus Services, Transportation, Environmental Health and Safety, and Research and Economic Development. In addition to the school district, local partnering agencies included the Oktibbeha County Emergency Management Agency, Starkville Fire Department, MedStat EMS and OCH Regional Medical Center.
Learn more about emergency preparedness, including MSU’s Maroon Alert system, at www.emergency.msstate.edu, where training and resources also are available.
Mississippi State University is taking care of what matters. Learn more at www.msstate.edu.