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Area Organizations Test Live Shooter Scenario

Department of Homeland Security

More than two dozen areas businesses and organizations will experience what it's like to have a killer invade them on Wednesday. The killer will be a disgruntled former employee with a gun.  Actually, it will be a digital disgruntled former employee with a gun.  It's part of an exercise designed to help companies develop a plan in the event of a real emergency.  Chris Floyd, with the Disaster Assistance Communities Group says almost 30 companies have signed up to participate in the exercise so far. 

This drill is being offered free in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties on Wednesday and is done completely online, causing no disruption of regular business during the day.  Several agencies are coordinating the effort locally, including the Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies.  Greg Strader, the Executive Director for BRACE says the scenario in the drill has been developed by the Department of Homeland Security and includes many common sense issues including making sure you have a head count of people in the building and ensuring law enforcement will have access to a building that is in lock down, to issues of mental health, building damage and keeping a business that has been the subject of an attack a viable business in the weeks and months following an incident.

The Operation Population Protection exercise begins this Wednesday morning at 9.  Workplaces that are interested in participating have until Noon on Tuesday to register.  You can do that at www.bereadyalliance.org. It is open to any workplace and is free. 

Bob Barrett has been a radio broadcaster since the mid 1970s and has worked at stations from northern New York to south Florida and, oddly, has been able to make a living that way. He began work in public radio in 2001. Over the years he has produced nationally syndicated programs such as The Environment Show and The Health Show for Northeast Public Radio's National Productions.