Lowndes County will conduct a full-scale emergency drill with state and local authorities on Mississippi University for Women’s campus from 7-11 a.m. Thursday.
The drill aims to test the emergency preparedness of first responders and MUW, according to a press release from Cindy Lawrence, director of Columbus Lowndes County Emergency Management Agency. It will allow MUW to test its notification system and give law enforcement agencies the chance to test communications, identifying gaps in communication between organizations.
The drill will include responders from the Columbus Police Department, Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Mississippi Highway Patrol, Columbus Fire and Rescue, E911, Columbus Lowndes Emergency Management Agency, Columbus Air Force Base, Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle and Ambulance Service, the Lowndes County coroner, Tupelo Care Flight and various nonprofits and other government agencies.
Additionally 133 MUW students will participate in the drill.
Lawrence asks members of the public not to call 911 when they hear or see activity on MUW’s campus Thursday morning.
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