Residents in and around Jefferson County High School should mark their calendars and prepare for an unusual scene on June 28. The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office announced on Facebook that it will be conducting Active Shooter Response Training from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the local high school, located at 115 West Dumplin Valley Rd in Dandridge, Tennessee. The training will simulate a high-stress scenario involving an active shooter situation.
The sheriff's office has emphasized this as a joint effort, bringing together forces from multiple agencies including Jefferson City Police Department, White Pine Police Department, and Dandridge Police Department. In order to create a realistic environment, participants in the training will include officers responding non-emergency to a staged event, where "actors" will simulate both armed perpetrators and victims. During these times, the surrounding community may hear simulated gunfire and witness these dramatizations, which are intended purely for training purposes. The intention behind this exercise is to prepare these agencies for actual active shooter events, ensuring a swift and effective response to protect the public in times when it matters most.
For those near the school, it is important to note that the campus will be closed to the public for the entirety of the training—to ensure safety for everyone involved. No one other than those participating in the training will be allowed access. The sheriff's office promises that safety is the main priority during the exercise. They advise locals to not be alarmed by the presence of firearms or emergency response activities as these are controlled elements of the training scenario.
