LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) - Lima City Schools completed a full-scale emergency drill on Wednesday.
The drill simulated an active shooter scenario, with responders from the Lima Police and Fire departments and the Allen County Emergency Management Agency. The scenario was designed to look like a real emergency, with officers dispatched into the building to locate the suspect, stop the threat and assist victims. Students at South reviewed their lockdown procedures, while other district buildings were placed on a soft lockdown, meaning no one was allowed to enter or leave.
The scenario was designed to look like a real emergency, with officers dispatched into the building to locate the suspect, stop the threat and assist victims.
Officials say the goal is to improve their coordination and response in a real-life situation, but they hope that day never comes.
"Unfortunately, due to incidents that have happened over the last 20 and 30 years, it has really brought this response to the forefront; we have to train this, we can't wait for something to happen," said Nate Garlock, director of safety and security with Lima City Schools. "God forbid it ever does, and then realize that we're missing something or that we weren't trained well enough, our response suffers because of that."
The state-mandated exercise is required every three years.
District leaders say students, parents and neighbors were notified ahead of time so the community knew the activity was only a drill.
