Full-scale campus emergency drill planned for April 20

10:40 a.m.: DRILL: All clear

Today's drill has been concluded. Thank you for your participation.

On Thursday, April 20, Augustana College will conduct a full-scale emergency preparedness drill. The drill will start by 8:30 a.m. and be completed by 12 p.m.

The area between Westerlin and the Gerber Center will be most impacted. Foot traffic in the area between 10th Avenue and 34th Street will be prohibited between 8 a.m. and noon. Please use the Slough Path to get from upper to lower campus. Beyond this impact, students and faculty should expect little interruption in their day due to the drill.

The drill will involve fire, police and other first responders from Rock Island and the surrounding municipalities. Because there will be a number of emergency vehicles on campus during the drill, those on campus should prepare for delays when traveling near 10th Avenue and 34th Street, or choose an alternate route. To accommodate the drill, the campus health clinic will be closed until noon on Thursday.

"With recent challenges created by weather and with ongoing tragedies at schools and colleges, Augustana is reminded to reassess our approaches to prevention and preparedness," notes Chief Tom Phillis, Augustana's chief of police. "We take a multi-pronged approach that includes ongoing training, a comprehensive threat assessment program and intervention, preparing our community to respond, and supporting the mental and emotional well-being of Augustana students."

Approximately 50 people will participate in this drill, though the emergency has not been released.