City to host emergency training exercise on campus

The Colorado Springs Office of Emergency Management will conduct an evacuation exercise within neighborhoods adjacent to UCCS on Oct. 18.

The exercise will begin at approximately 8 a.m. in Lot 580 near the Four Diamonds Sports Complex on the northwest corner of campus and will focus on neighborhoods adjacent to the Heller property, Pulpit Rock Park, and Austin Bluffs Open Space. The areas are identified as part of the Wildlife Urban Interface adjacent to and north the UCCS campus.

The exercise will be conducted in collaboration with partner agencies and non-government organizations including the Colorado Springs Fire Department, Colorado Springs Police Department, El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, the American Red Cross, AMR, Humane Society, and Salvation Army.

The UCCS the Department of Public Safety and Emergency Management division will assist to integrate campus emergency planning and response within the city’s processes.

“Inter-agency training and exercises are key to our campus planning and response. Collaborative planning and established relationships are very important in emergency preparedness and response,” Tim Stoecklein, program director, Emergency Management, said. “As they say in our profession, the time to discuss plans and exchange business cards is not over the hood of a response vehicle during an emergency.”

For more information regarding the exercise, contact Stoecklein at 719-255-3106 or [email protected].