ASU stages full-scale drill

By Melanie Marshall

More than 100 emergency personnel gathered on the campus of Appalachian State University on Wednesday for a full-scale drill. The situation consisted of a shooter/hostage situation within a residence hall.

Appalachian State University police officers and Boone firefighters prepare to transport students posing as victims during an emergency drill staged on the ASU campus Wednesday. Photo by Melanie Marshall

Volunteer students and faculty served as the victims of the event, allowing officers and EMS to experience the scenario as if it were real. The situation consisted of a single shooter within Justice Residence Hall, who then barricaded himself in a room with three hostages.

Law enforcement, emergency response agencies and university employees were evaluated on their response time and efficiency in handling the situation. The evaluators were Capt. Curtis Main of the Boone Police Department, Brent Herron of University of North Carolina General Administration, Dennis Hopkins of Caldwell Community College, Angie Stewart of ASU Police Department and Capt. Dennis Swanson of the Blowing Rock Police Department.

The officers and the actor playing the shooter, Paul Ford, used modified firearms with simulated ammunition.
The “victims” sported fake wounds created to appear as real as possible.

The actors were carried from the building and treated by EMS including bandages and loading onto an ambulance.

The administration of the university, including Chancellor Ken Peacock, also participated in the event, updating the Web site and testing the student/faculty alert system.

ASU Police, university officials, Boone Police Department, Watauga County Sheriff’s Office, Boone Fire Department, Watauga Medics, Watauga Rescue and Watauga Medical Center participated in the drill.