'Active Shooter Drill' to Test Local Agencies' Response to Threat

The West Orange Board of Education will host an active shooter drill next week to test the abilities of more than a dozen agencies in their respond to an emergency incident similar to the event at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

"The protection of our young people is our highest priority," said West Orange Mayor Robert D. Parisi. "Unfortunately, as we've seen in recent years, no school is immune to the possibility of an attack. This is an especially important drill because it increases our effort to provide safe and secure buildings for our students."

The drill will take place at Liberty Middle School on Aug. 20 at 10 a.m. It has garnered interest from many surrounding municipalities and districts on the east coast and will include a viewing station for officials from the partnering organizations along with other entities to watch the drill unfold. 

“This is potentially going to be the largest active shooter drill ever executed in New Jersey and perhaps the nation,” said Sgt. John Morella a key coordinator of the event for the Township of West Orange.

Montclair State University, Seton Hall University and Rutgers University will provide audio and video equipment and will be video-taping the event. Montclair State University has created a special a class around the exercise and will be making a documentary on the creation, execution and results.

"This coordinated drill helps officers from multiple jurisdictions learn how to work together by establishing a standardized response that involves all parties responsible for the care and safety of our children," West Orange Police Chief James P. Abbott said.