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Kearny Police Officers man the ‘barrier’ at the school during the mock shooting drill. Mila Besich-Lira | Copper Basin News
Copper Basin News
Last week if you had a scanner you may have heard that there was an assault and shooter at Ray High School, if you didn’t have a scanner, well, you know how that goes everyone in town thinks they knew what happened. What really happened on Tuesday morning was a drill, while the staff at the Town of Kearny knew a drill would happen at some point they did not know when or what the scenario would be.
On Tuesday morning, Judge Orzell along with myself got the scenario in motion. Judge Orzell called the police department and reported an assault and shooter at Ray High School, his call was followed up with a call from myself asking for information on tips the Copper Basin News received of a major incident at the school.
The drill helped all departments of the town learn how to work together in the event there was ever a major incident at the school or in town. It also helped us, as the media, learn how we will receive information and where we will go to get information from the public information officer, which in future events will be Judge Orzell.
No one was harmed in the drill and after a debriefing of everyone involved it was determined that there were some areas of improvement needed but that overall the police, fire and EMT’s all responded in a safe and efficient manner. The major point that hit home for all involved was communication, using a clear voice, reporting all details as efficiently as possible and getting the information out to everyone as quickly as possible were all important areas discussed.
Lt. Blue, the acting chief for Kearny was instrumental in putting this drill together for KPD. Lt. Blue has helped in make many improvements at KPD during his interim tenure at the department.
Mila Besich is a resident of Superior with two children. She volunteers for many local organizations. She is an experienced fundraiser and event planner for Copper Corridor Economic Development Coalition. She covers some of the area town councils and schools.
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