CSU San Marcos to run active-shooter drills Jan. 6

Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas among agencies to participate, university says

North Coast Current

California State University San Marcos will run active-shooter training drills Jan. 6 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in conjunction with North County law enforcement, fire and medical agencies, the university has announced.

The drills — which include agencies such as the San Marcos Fire Department, San Diego County Sheriff’s Department and North County hospitals such as Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas — were scheduled in the wake of deadly mass shootings such as the one at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino on Dec. 2, according to CSUSM’s statement.

Emergency vehicles such as patrol cars, fire trucks, medical helicopters and ambulances will be visible in the community and on campus, the university stated. There will be traffic control measures in effect on campus. The first drill is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon and the second drill is scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m.

“The safety and welfare of our campus community is our highest priority,” CSUSM police Chief Robert McManus said in the announcement. “Conducting and planning for this exercise will allow us to assess our emergency response, interagency coordination and recovery efforts after such an event.”

The drills are set to take place in the University Student Union and will include hospital staff, law enforcement and first-responder agencies, the university stated. In addition to Scripps Encinitas, the Sheriff’s Department and San Marcos Fire Department, police and fire agencies from Escondido will also participate, as well as Palomar Hospital, Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla and Rady Children’s Hospital.