Operation Green Hornet preparations began early this morning for the participants from nearly 3 dozen agencies.
This story will be updated as the drill progresses.
(8:30am) Before the drill began, students were provided information about the exercise during an assembly at Horizon Middle School.
Ferndale Police Chief Michael Knapp provides information about the drill to students during the pre-execise assembly. Photo courtesy City of Ferndale
A fully-equipped drill participant hangs out with the students during the pre-exercise assembly. Photo courtesy City of Ferndale
A robot to be used during the exercise is demonstrated for the students during the pre-drill assembly. Photo courtesy City of Ferndale
A robot to be used during the exercise is demonstrated for the students during the pre-drill assembly. Photo courtesy City of Ferndale
The school went through a lockdown drill and, as part of the exercise, students and staff were then directed to get onto buses to be “evacuated” to the high school.
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As part of the Operation Green Hornet emergency drill, students head to buses to be evacuated. Photo courtesy City of Ferndale
Volunteer actors complete with makeup simulating injuries will be staged around the school for exercise participants to locate and treat.
Operation Green Hornet actors await their cue. Photo courtesy City of Ferndale
Agency communication units set up outside the school during Operation Green Hornet. Photo courtesy City of Ferndale
Ferndale Auxiliary Communications Service volunteers, Bob Wilson and Wendy Lawrence, provide communications support to Operation Green Hornet. Photo courtesy of Cathy Watson
(10am) Heard over the radio from PROSPECT dispatch to fire/aid units, “This is a drill … Horizon Middle School – active shooter, scene not secure, law enforcement enroute.” This is a signal the exercise has begun. The students and staff have arrived at the high school. The School District put out a reminder to parents not to come to the high school during the drill.
Several agencies are involved in the response to the exercise simulation.
Law enforcement arrive at the scene during Operation Green Hornet. Photo courtesy City of Ferndale
Whatcom County Fire District 7 personnel respond to the school during Operation Green Hornet. Photo courtesy City of Ferndale
A SWAT team member takes up a position at the school during Operation Green Hornet. Photo courtesy City of Ferndale
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) helicopter arrives during the Operation Green Hornet exercise at Horizon Middle School(October 13, 2016). Photo courtesy City of Ferndale
Ferndale School District personnel have a communications center from where they can coordinate their response to emergency situations. They are busy in it today during the exercise.
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Assistant Superintendent Scott Brittain and FHS teacher Herb Porter monitoring the information passing through the FSD communication center during a simulated emergency exercise (October 13, 2016). Photo courtesy City of Ferndale
FSD communication center during Operation Green Hornet. Photo courtesy City of Ferndale
(11am) The scenario includes wounded victims who are airlifted from the area. Mannequins are used to represent the wounded on the helicopter when it leaves the school.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) helicopter prepares to take off with the simulated wounded. Photo courtesy of Wendy Lawrence
(12:15pm) According to City Communications Officer Riley Sweeney (who graciously provided most of the pictures for this story), Operation Green Hornet will wrap up by 12:30pm. A briefing for the public and press is being held at 1:30pm at the Ferndale Police Station.
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