(Walhalla, SC)----------------------------------The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office, Oconee County Emergency Services, the School District of Oconee County, Oconee County Government, the Seneca Fire Department, the Seneca Police Department, and Prisma Health, along with other safety agencies in Oconee County, will be conducting an Active Attack Drill on Wednesday, October 11th.
The drill will take place at Seneca High School. The drill is not open to the public or the media and no public action is needed. Sheriff Crenshaw and School District of Oconee County leadership emphasize that this drill is not a response to any known or perceived threats to any School District of Oconee County schools. All School District of Oconee County Schools will be closed next week due to fall break.
“The purpose of the Active Attack Drill will be to further develop our coordination and response skills in the event of an active attack at one of the schools inside of Oconee County,” says Oconee County Sheriff Mike Crenshaw. “Last November, numerous public safety agencies from Oconee County held a table top exercise at the Hamilton Career & Technology Center that simulated an active shooter scenario inside of one of the schools in the School District of Oconee County. The table top drill included local, state, and federal public safety partners and the administration from the School District of Oconee County.”
“Even though we have worked together previously to prepare for any eventuality, last November was the first time we conducted a table top exercise,” according to Sheriff Crenshaw. “The exercise gave all of us a better look at the tactics, techniques, and response plans for each partner involved. The drill at Seneca High School will further enable all agencies involved to become better coordinated and better skilled as we continue to be proactive in protecting those who work, teach, and attend classes in Oconee County schools.”
Dr. Michael Thorsland, Superintendent of the School District of Oconee County said, “We appreciate our partnership with the Oconee County Sheriff’s office and all other local law enforcement and emergency services. We value their commitment and continued efforts to keep our students and staff safe day in and day out. This drill will provide lessons and insight for all agencies involved; lessons that will be invaluable in the event we ever face an active attack in one of our schools.
Oconee County Emergency Services Director said,” These drills help all agencies prepare for multiple, different emergency events so we can better protect our citizens and the public in time of emergencies.”