Don’t be alarmed at all of the police cars, fire trucks, ambulances, or any other first responders that you see starting this morning at Lathrop High School.
It’s all part of a multiagency drill aimed at protecting students in the event of a school shooting.
Starting today and running periodically through the next week, a multiagency training operation will be held at Lathrop High School, located at 647 Spartan Way, aimed at unifying the response in the event of a mass-casualty incident or active shooter scenario that would draw a massive response from emergency personnel.
The training exercise will be a cooperative effort between the Manteca Police Department, Manteca Fire Department, Lathrop Police Department, the Lathrop Manteca Fire District, and the Manteca Unified School District.
“While we hope that our jurisdictions are never confronted with such incidents, the reality of school violence necessitates proactive measures,” the Manteca Police Department said in a statement announcing the effort. “By conducting this training, we are dedicated to mitigating casualties and providing the highest level of safety to our school community.”
The annual exercise is geared specifically towards how first responders would react in the event of an active shooter or active threat on a school campus, an effort aimed at ironing out the kinks in the unlikely event that a tragedy of that nature was to occur.
Unfortunately, other active-shooter scenarios have almost necessitated efforts like the one beginning in Lathrop today after gaps and holes were exposed following an incident in which schoolchildren were killed. The need to streamline a response, have a unified commend, and establish ability to work together towards ensuring the best outcome for all involved.
“We are extremely fortunate to have such a strong working relationship with are partners and, most importantly, the Manteca Unified School District,” the statement from Manteca Police read. “MUSD has consistently made school campuses available in addition to coordinating the vast number of volunteers and role-players, including MUSD students, staff, and school community members.
“Their valuable contribution ensures that these training events are as realistic and impactful as possible.”
In past years, training exercises like the one currently underway have included loud noises coming from the exercise. While Lathrop High School is relatively remote when compared to the district’s other comprehensive high schools, there is new residential development in the area.
To contact Bulletin reporter Jason Campbell email jcampbell@mantecabulletin.com or call 209.249.3544.
