PUEBLO — Students at Pueblo Centennial High School experience the elements of an active shooter during a scheduled drill Friday morning.
Pueblo City Schools officials said this drill is a collaboration with the Pueblo Police Department and "other responding agencies" to be prepared in the event of an actual active shooter situation.
The school is scheduled to be under the drill for about three hours starting at 8 a.m. Roads near the school have closures in place as well.
The Pueblo Police Department wants everyone to know the street closures, loud noises, and large amounts of foot traffic in the area is all associated with the drill.
Pueblo District 60 received a grant this year, part of the School Access for Emergency Response grant program, to install a new communication system that will make it easier for district officials and first responders to talk in the event of an emergency. The system was installed over the summer.
As of 2009, Colorado law requires all districts to have plans in place, including “all-hazard drills,” to test communications and emergency procedures.
An active shooter drill is different than lockdown or lockout drills. Some districts have the events open only to staff and law enforcement, while others include students and volunteers.
In those drills, officers and actors use simulated gunfire, smoke and other elements to offer a realistic approach to safety and security planning.
Earlier this year, News5's Bill Folsom visited Pueblo's East High School during their active shooter drill in January. The exercise involved first responders, faculty and students.
PPD said that exercise allowed different agencies to experience what it would look like to work together as one team in the event of an actual situation.
MORE:
How local schools prepare for hazards, including rare active shooter threats
