Next Wednesday, March 23rd, around 12:30pm, a drill will be conducted on the campus of Skyline Elementary at Vista Drive and Thornton Street that will simulate the response to a natural gas leak inside the school. This is a multi-agency exercise involving the Ferndale School District, City of Ferndale, Ferndale Police and Whatcom County Fire Protection District #7.
According to an announcement from the school district,
Dubbed “Operation Golden Skyhawk,” this drill will simulate the response to a natural gas leak inside the school. During the course of the drill, students will be evacuated to nearby Vista Middle School where they will remain until reunited with their parents for pick up, placed on a school bus for transportation home or, if a “walker,” will proceed to walk home.
The day of the drill is an early dismissal day. Parents of Skyline Elementary students are advised to pick up their children at Vista Middle School at 1pm that day.
The drill is intended to allow first responders to test equipment, school officials to practice evacuation and reunification and city and police to check emergency communication channels and procedures.
The public should not be concerned about an increased first responder presence in the area before and during the drill.