Emergency Training Exercise Canceled due to Threats

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http://www.southwest...2d994387640.txt

A disaster drill to be conducted Saturday by the Pottawattamie County Emergency Management Agency and the Homeland Security Exercise & Evaluation Program at Treynor High School has been canceled after drawing fire for the scenario precipitating a fake shooting at the school.

A release issued by the Emergency Management Agency stated that during the last 24 hours, the Treynor School system has received threats to their employees and buildings because of the planned "active shooter" exercise.

After consultation with the Treynor School District and the Pottawattamie County Sheriff's Office, a joint decision was made to cancel the exercise because of the threats, which EMA said they must consider as viable.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff's Department is now actively investigating the threats. Pottawattamie County Sheriff Jeff Danker said at least one threatening telephone message was left at Treynor High School before school started on Friday.

Two suspects' backgrounds are laid out in the exercise plan.

One is described as a student who "has been seen with anti-immigration demonstrators and community rumors indicate a violent, quick-tempered father with ties to an underground white supremacy group that was involved in a small demonstration and assault 30 days ago in another community."

It also stated his family is known to be "firearm enthusiasts – if not fanatics."

The second suspect is described as isolated and quiet, but he has befriended the first suspect within the last year and "has began to migrate from quiet meekness to antisocial aggressiveness with changes in appearance, hair style and clothing style that mimics that of his new friend."

The scenario starts with suspect one approaching a group of minorities in the cafeteria, blurting racial slurs and saying he is tired of them "stealing jobs and money from Americans." An altercation ensues; suspect one pulls a handgun from his waistband and shoots a student. The second suspect yells "the revolution begins" and also pulls a weapon, firing on anyone in their path.

Robert Ussery, state director of the Iowa Minutemen, an anti-illegal immigration group, criticized the training drill's scenario.

"I think it's terrible that they're trying to paint people who believe in enforcing our laws as criminals," he said.

Several citizens contacted agencies collaborating on the drill to object to the premise, and many comments were aired through social media and email messages.

Emergency Management's Doug Reed said he's received several emails from upset people but characterized them as being misinformed about the intent of the exercise, which he said is to train emergency responders.

He said it was unlikely such as scenario would ever play out in Treynor.

"It has no reality attached to it," Reed said. "It is completely fictitious."

"The decision has been to cancel the exercise; all things considered, it might be the best thing to do," Danker said. "It's too bad. People put a lot of work into this, and it was going to be training that was good for all area law enforcement."

Danker said the wording could have been better in the scenario, but the training was the most important aspect.

Isn't it sad when you can't even conduct an exercise without opposition and controversy (and in this case, threats)?

[Guest alsfirefighter]

Sounds like a emotional reaction devoid of rational thought. Nevermind that they are attempting to perform an exercise that could result in the direct saving of lives in the event such an incident would unfold. Some just don't get it..if we don't talk about it or even think about it..it won't happen. But yet if one were or does and the response doesn't go smoothly then let the lawsuits and finger pointing begin. I'm actually trying to drum up the support to put together such an exercise in my area so everyone can be on the same page and understand the dynamics of such incidents and the challenges of interfacing with multiple agencies with vast differences in responsibilities and thought processes. From EMS, to FD, to PD, to the tactical medics that operate with PD, etc.