May 26, 2009
On Wednesday, May 27, WIU, in collaboration with the McDonough County Emergency Services and Disaster Agency (ESDA) and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA), will participate in a full-scale emergency operations exercise on the WIU-Macomb campus.
The full-scale exercise, which will focus on an active shooter scenario, will take place in Waggoner Hall and potentially additional undisclosed locations on the Macomb campus.
While media will not be allowed to videotape or photograph the entire exercise due to security reasons, there will be an opportunity to tape B-roll and take photographs of the simulation activities, as well as to interview key personnel. All media must have a press badge issued by WIU, as the area(s) affected will be secure.
The schedule for coverage is as follows:
10 a.m. – Meet in the University Union Board room for briefing and instructions. ANY MEDIA PARTICIPATING MUST MEET IN THE UNION. PRESS BADGES ISSUED BY WIU ARE REQUIRED AND WILL BE DISTRIBUTED AT THE BRIEFING. MEDIA DISPLAYING ONLY THEIR OUTLET’S CREDENTIALS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED INTO SECURE AREAS.
10:30-11 a.m. – I will escort participating media to the scene to capture video and photographs.
11 a.m. – Interviews with Dana Biernbaum, assistant vice president for administrative services and chair of Western’s Emergency Operations Planning team, and Dan Kreps, coordinator of the McDonough County ESDA.
11:20 a.m. – Media will return to the University Union.
PARKING INFORMATION: Because University Drive from Brophy Hall to Western Avenue and Western Avenue to Adams Street will be closed from 8:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 27, media attending the exercise should enter campus from the Adams Street/Sherman Circle Drive entrance or the Murray Street entrance. Media should park in the University Union lot east of the Union, N-Lot (parking lot at the Hanson Field south entrance) or in the lots around Sherman Hall. For a detailed map of campus, contact University Relations at (309) 298-1993 or e-mail DR-Shinberger@wiu.edu.
Copy By: Darcie Shinberger
