Operation Resilience was a full-scale active shooter simulation that took place last week on the Ripon High campus.
It was a collaborated and coordinated exercise involving various agencies in south San Joaquin County, and featured 270 participants.
“It focused primarily on response operations and the Ripon Unified School District’s emergency procedures, providing an opportunity to evaluate command and general staff functions, operational response, public information, alternate communications, community preparedness, the regional common operation picture, and alert and warning components,” according to the press release by We Are Ripon.
Members from the organization – Stephanie Hobbs, Emily Parker, and Trustee Vince Hobbs, to name a few – were recognized at Monday’s RUSD board meeting for their fundraising efforts.
Donations made possible the safety gear, simulated fire arms, and other needed supplies used in the Jan. 6 exercise consisting of the Ripon Consolidated Fire District along with other neighboring firefighters; Ripon, Manteca, Escalon, and Stockton police; AMR Ambulance; and Ripon Christian Schools and RUSD, to name a few.
“The teamwork displayed by our staff, local first responders, and community partners was truly inspiring, demonstrating a shared commitment to the safety and well-being of our students and staff,” said RUSD Superintendent Ziggy Robeson, who thanked all those involved.
Local police found the intense, realistic exercise featuring everything from active shooters, media, and frantic parents and spouses of teachers, as an invaluable training experience.
“(It) brought together our first responders and RUSD teachers, highlighting the strength of our community in prioritizing the safety and well-being of our children,” said Ripon police Lt. Jared Heuvel.
Fire Chief Eric DeHart echoed much of the same.
“This training was tremendously valuable to not only Ripon fire, but all the outside fire agencies that participated,” he said.
We Are Ripon noted that every RUSD principal was there to observe the events at RHS and apply the lessons learned to their campuses.
In addition, volunteer coordinator Annette Schroen was recognized for helping out with staffing, coupled with Exercise Director Vince Hobbs and Lt. Heuvel for their many efforts on Operation Resilience Day.
