University of Arkansas to Conduct Emergency Preparedness Drill

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Working in conjunction with state and county agencies, the University of Arkansas will conduct an emergency preparedness drill at 10 a.m., Tuesday, June 29.

The drill, which is scheduled to last two hours, will simulate an explosion at Pomfret Hall, located on the south side of the UA campus. The drill also will simulate resident casualties and the threat of additional explosions on campus.

"Last year, the university simulated an emergency response to a tornado touchdown on its campus, but the drill was conducted solely as a round-table discussion," said Major Steve Gahagans with the University of Arkansas Police Department. "The objective of this exercise is to gauge how well the university carries out its initial emergency response procedures in the field. The exercise will require the coordinated efforts of multiple university departments and administrators."

The emergency response plan will be confined only to university departments. Representatives from the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management, the Washington County Department of Emergency Management and the Springdale Bomb Squad will be on-hand during the exercise to provide assistance and guidance.

"We're grateful for the support from these local and state agencies," Gahagans said. "You certainly hope an event like this never occurs on campus, but it is reassuring to know that if it does happen, both you and local emergency responders are prepared to act."

###

Steve Gahagans, University of Arkansas Police Department, (479) 575-2222, steveg@uark.edu

Charles Crowson, manager of media relations, University Relations, (479) 575-3583, ccrowso@uark.edu