Imagine if you will, an active shooter arrives on the campus of the Southeast Arkansas Human Development Center or the Bradley County Medical Center.
To be prepared for the unthinkable such scenario, both organizations held active shooter drills Tuesday, August 30, 2022.
Assistant Superintendent Dana Harvey supervised the SEAHDC part of the drill along with Rehab Director Lauren Franklin, Rehab Supervisor Shemika Marshall and nurse practitioner Tammy McNew. Also joining in were Sgt. Thomas Miller and patrol officer Jammie Smith from Warren Police Department and Fire Chief Chuck Moore and Assistant Fire Chief Larry Hayes.
At 9 a.m., the group assembled and looked at a campus map to determine where the shooter was located. Information was given that there were 14 people in the classroom. A command center was set up. Buildings were put on lockdown.
Needs which were identified included having more cameras present in all buildings, knowing where access to the shooter’s location could be made, necessary medical supplies that should be kept on hand, putting visible numbers on buildings to help first responders locate where incidents might occur and giving maps to fire and law enforcement personnel to familiarize themselves with the SEAHDC buildings.
Harvey said the center usually has several APRNs and three RNs available on site. Every employee must be trained in CPR and first aid. Drs. Dichelle George and Hank Wharton come to the center to assist with medical needs often.
Dennen Cuthbertson, public relations officer at BCMC, said about 30 staff members participated in the drill at the hospital. All patients were triaged, minor injuries were sent to a Minor Care Unit and more serious injuries were treated in the ER. Several staff members also posed as distraught family members.
Harvey said a live scenario will be performed in next year’s drill, with personnel playing the part of victims, and participation of Warren Police Department, Warren Fire Department, BCMC, EASI, Bradley County Sheriff’s Department and Arkansas State Police.