Emergency exercises planned at CAES Building in Idaho Falls on April 23; exercises not open to the public

An emergency training exercise presenting a staged "campus violence incident" will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. April 23 at the Center for Advanced Energy Studies (CAES) in Idaho Falls.

This exercise is not open to the public, but organizers wanted to announce it so people will not be alarmed by the sight of emergency vehicles and personnel engaged in the exercise at this time.

One element of being prepared is training and exercising for all types of disaster scenarios. This year at University Place the ISU Department of Public Safety has partnered with Idaho National Labs, University of Idaho, Idaho Falls Police Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) and many other organizations at the CAES to exercise a campus violence incident.

 "The safety and security of our colleagues, whether they work at a university or INL, is our top priority," said CAES Director Steven Aumeier. "We want to provide them with the opportunity to be prepared."

ISU Department of Public Safety Director Steve Chatterton said, "Although we come from many different organizations when it comes to the safety of the staff and students at University Place, we all come together."

ISU’s Department of Public Safety and University Place in Idaho Falls are working not only to be one of the safest campuses in America but also the most prepared for all types of disasters.

Currently, the ISU Department of Public Safety is working toward having its emergency management program accredited through the internationally acclaimed Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP). Last year ISU was only one of a few universities around the nation that participated in the EMAP pilot program for universities.

The ISU campus at University Place in Idaho Falls is a place of great academic diversity. It is home to such organizations as University of Idaho, Idaho National Labs, Idaho State University, and many others. With exercises like the one held on April 23 at University Place, Idaho State University continues to be a model for campus safety and disaster preparedness.

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