09/16/15
by Melissa Dixon
Fort Hays State University will conduct an "active shooter" exercise from about 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 22, at Forsyth Library.

The exercise is designed to test the capabilities of law enforcement and emergency management teams in case of an emergency situation.

Other than at Forsyth Library, campus activities will not be disrupted. Classes will meet as scheduled. Scheduled events such as the Encore performance will proceed as planned.

Parking availability will be reduced in the area during the exercise. Faculty, staff and students should plan accordingly.

Local units participating in the exercise include the University Police Department, Hays Police Department, the Hays Communication Center, the Kansas Highway Patrol, the Ellis County Sheriff's Department, Ellis County Emergency Management and the Kansas Division of Emergency Management.

Concurrently, Hays Medical Center, Ellis County Emergency Medical Service and the Hays Fire Department will conduct a tabletop exercise to test their mass casualty and triage responses.

As part of the exercise, subscribers to the campus notification system will receive a test alert message.

This exercise is a test. It is only a test. In the case of an actual emergency, the campus community will receive specific instructions.