Today, the McMinnville School District (MSD) participated in a multi-agency drill for earthquake readiness. County agencies including the Willamette Valley Medical Center (WVMC), McMinnville Police & Fire departments, and other emergency management groups also took part in the exercise.
Schools across the district practiced the “Drop, Cover, Hold On!” procedure and then evacuated the premises.
Columbus Elementary went beyond the evacuation protocol and participated in an off-site reunification process. CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) members from the district also took part.
There was also a simulation with WVMC and three students were transported by ambulance to the hospital. The students, accompanied by school staff liaisons, went through the hospital’s emergency triage protocol.
“Practice is a critical part of any emergency plan,” said MSD Safety Manager Jack Crabtree. “Keeping our students safe is our top priority, and walking through a response protocol will help us strengthen and refine our plan if we ever need to use it.”
The county drill is part of a state and federal drill called Cascadia Rising 2016.