On the morning of Tuesday, June 24, you can expect to see a significant increase in emergency vehicles and personnel in downtown Galesburg.
That’s because local authorities will be conducting a full-scale active shooter drill from 8 a.m. to around noon at Knox College.
One block of Simmons Street, between Broad and Cedar, will be closed to traffic during the exercise.
Officials say the increased presence of emergency vehicles and personnel in the area will be part of the training scenario and should not be cause for alarm.
“This active shooter drill is a critical component of our ongoing commitment to public safety," said Galesburg City Manager Eric Hanson. “By regularly practicing and evaluating our emergency response plans with all our partner agencies, we can ensure we are fully prepared to protect our community in the event of a real emergency.”
The exercise is designed to test and enhance the coordinated emergency response capabilities of local agencies.
The drill will be led by the Knox County Emergency Management Agency in collaboration with the Galesburg Police Department, Galesburg Fire Department, Knox County Sheriff's Department, city of Galesburg, Galesburg Hospitals' Ambulance Service, and Knox College.
One of the services provided by the Knox County Emergency Management Agency is planning for and responding to disasters including weather emergencies, hazardous materials situations, accidents involving mass casualties, or other large-scale incidents that could overwhelm the normal emergency response.
While Tuesday’s drill is a simulated event, officials are asking the public to avoid the area during the exercise.
"Collaboration between our local emergency services and institutions like Knox College is vital for effective incident management," added Knox County EMA Coordinator and Galesburg Fire Chief Randy Hovind. "We appreciate the cooperation of Knox College and the understanding of the public as we conduct this important training."
Throughout the scheduled drill, there will be information on the city’s website for residents to verify the event is a simulation.
Further updates, if necessary, will be provided through city and county officials.
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