�� Crisis Action Team, SOSD, local first responders practice emergency preparedness with Friday training exercise

STARKVILLE, Miss.—Mississippi State’s Crisis Action Team, �� Police and collaborating local first responders have conducted training today [June 6] with an emergency preparedness exercise on a hypothetical scenario coordinated by �� Emergency Management.

�� Emergency Manager Brent Crocker speaks to first responders participating in an emergency preparedness exercise at Partnership Middle School on June 6. The training was coordinated by �� Emergency Management in collaboration with the university’s Crisis Action Team and additional �� and community partners. (Photo by Grace Cockrell)

The exercise was conducted at Partnership Middle School, located on the north side of campus. The school is not in session, and leaders from the Starkville Oktibbeha School District were part of the exercise.

“The �� Crisis Action Team meets regularly to train for emergencies. However, today’s full-scale exercise allowed us to work through a realistic scenario and focus on response efforts, such as emergency notifications, evacuations and medical care. The exercise also emphasized the importance of coordination and communication during a crisis,” said �� Emergency Manager Brent Crocker. “If a large-scale emergency occurs, Mississippi State and other first responders will be better prepared to act. We appreciate the participation of our local and state agencies and continue to strengthen our relationships.”

Andrew Rendon, �� executive director for veteran and military affairs, briefs participants in the emergency preparedness exercise at Partnership Middle School on June 6. The training coordinated by �� Emergency Management brought together the university’s Crisis Action Team, �� Police, Starkville Oktibbeha School District leaders and other collaborating partners to drill for training purposes. (Photo by Grace Cockrell)

The exercise also included the university’s Critical Incident Response Team, Office of Public Affairs, Division of Student Affairs, Dean of Students, Campus Services, Transportation, Environmental Health and Safety, and Research and Economic Development. In addition to the school district, local partnering agencies included the Oktibbeha County Emergency Management Agency, Starkville Fire Department, MedStat EMS and OCH Regional Medical Center.

Learn more about emergency preparedness, including ��’s Maroon Alert system, at , where training and resources also are available.

�� is taking care of what matters. Learn more at .

��