College holds first emergency drill in response to school active shooter incidents nationwide

Imperial Valley College went on lockdown on Thursday morning as over a dozen emergency agencies swarmed a building in which an assailant was at large – it was a drill.

Lennor Johnson, IVC Student Services President, said, ” The drill is part of the college’s ongoing effort to prepare and protect students, staff, faculty in case of emergency. The drill is expected to identify areas where the campus security could be strengthened. ”

School officials said that on any given day there are over 3,500 people on campus.

Carlos Fletes , IVC Campus Safety Manager, said, ” We held several training sessions for the faculty, staff and students. We shared emails, texts, advising the population that this drill was going to take place. ”

He said classrooms were secured, some with remote features.

“With the stroke of a key we were able to lockdown every room in those facilities,” Fletes said.

He admitted that some buildings date back almost fifty years. Those were secured in other ways.

“We equipped those doors with a device called Lock-Block, which is being used in other school districts here in the valley, which assists the teacher or the student inside the room to be able to lock down the door with a matter of seconds,” Fletes said.
Fletes noted that some campus challenges were easily identified.

” We’re not surrounded by a fence. We’re basically accessible in every corner of the campus. Nobody needs to check in at the office. Anybody can come in, ” Fletes said.
Lt. Manuel De Leon, I.C. Sheriff’s Office, said the exercise should serve to identify all challenges at the campus and with responding agencies.

“To having first responders, respond and try to assess the scene and try to stop any threats to barricaded subjects where tactical teams are called out,” De Leon said.