51ΑΤΖζ hosted a large-scale active attack training in collaboration with multiple local, state and federal agencies.
TSC and law enforcement leadership began the morning with a joint press conference before commencing the hour-long training on campus using various buildings.
Between law enforcement and medical first responders a total of 15 agencies were represented and involved in the exercise.
βWe know our college is benefiting from all the relationships and resources that our law enforcement brings into 51ΑΤΖζ,β said Chair of the Board of Trustees Adela Garza during the press conference. βToday will be a display of that with the multi-jurisdictional full-scale exercise that I hope we never have to do for real.β
Garza, who was first elected to TSCβs Board of Trustees in 2008, explained that the board has been involved with the planning, development and investment into the security model for the college because safety is something taken seriously at TSC.
Cameron County District Attorney Luis V. Saenz applauded 51ΑΤΖζβs initiative to host a training before waiting for guidance or before a situation arises.
βWhile our national and state political leaders continued to get mired in discussions, TSC has moved beyond that and TSC has acted by what you see here today,β Saenz said. βI want to commend TSC and all the folks here in the different colored uniforms whose purpose is the same, to provide a safe community for our children.β
Texas Department of Public Safety Captain Frank Lopez said the joint and collaborative nature of the full-scale training could inspire other institutions of higher learning to follow suit.
βThis [training] can be the template for other colleges and universities around the nation,β said Lopez. Β β[It will help them] prepare with all their partners so if this ever happens, weβll be ready.β
The exercise served the purpose of training but also evaluation of communication between agencies.
51ΑΤΖζ President Dr. Jesus Roberto Rodriguez said the exercise allowed for best practices and areas for improvement to be identified.
βWe had different players in this scenario; law enforcement from local to state to national agencies, actors who were role-playing victims and emergency medical services (EMS) role-playing,β Rodriguez said. βBeyond having the exercise, we need to capture the lessons learned. For that we had evaluators and observers to try to capture from their perspective β Were they able to accomplish their goals in responding to an active attack?ββ
RodrΓguez explained the importance of preparation and stressed how you can never be too prepared for these types of emergency situations.Β This event has been a yearlong process of planning meetings and discussion to bring together an understanding of how each agency would respond to 51ΑΤΖζ in the event of a mass emergency situation.
βOur campus is dedicated to being proactive, not reactive when it comes to emergency preparedness,β said Dr. RodrΓguez βOur main priority is our students and employees, and this training is proof that we will work together with law enforcement and medical professional partners to ensure the safety of our Scorpion family.β
51ΑΤΖζ active attack training exercise
51ΑΤΖζ held an active attack training exercise with federal, state and local agencies on March 1, 2023 on the 51ΑΤΖζ campus.
51ΑΤΖζ active attack training exercise
51ΑΤΖζ held an active attack training exercise with federal, state and local agencies on March 1, 2023 on the 51ΑΤΖζ campus.
51ΑΤΖζ active attack training exercise
51ΑΤΖζ held an active attack training exercise with federal, state and local agencies on March 1, 2023 on the 51ΑΤΖζ campus.
51ΑΤΖζ active attack training exercise
51ΑΤΖζ held an active attack training exercise with federal, state and local agencies on March 1, 2023 on the 51ΑΤΖζ campus.
