Multiple agencies gathered at Walker-Grant Middle School in Fredericksburg for a semiannual exercise on Friday, March 7, but the doors were closed to keep plans from reaching the wrong eyes.
“It was a matter of security,” said Jack McGovern, the exercise director with the Fredericksburg Fire Department. “That was spelled out for media,” he added.
The exercise, called the Technical Assistance Program, is offered through the Virginia Department of Emergency Management’s Training, Exercise and Education Division. Members of the city’s police and fire departments, emergency management, the city’s communications division, the sheriff’s office, Fredericksburg City Public Schools, and Mary Washington Healthcare participated in the exercise.
More than 200 emergency personnel were involved, officials said.
“All the players work together,” said Sheriff Scott Foster. Since the training occurred behind closed doors, details were not publicly disclosed.
“The kids’ safety has to be number one,” said Dr. Matthew Eberhardt, deputy superintendent of Fredericksburg City Public Schools.
The purpose of the exercise was to test the response to an active threat. The surrounding community was also notified, a team spokesperson said.
Parking lots were blocked off, and yellow caution tape cordoned off several areas.
“We’ve got some great training occurring here,” said Fredericksburg Police Capt. Brian Layton. “Critical incident training,” he called it.
