First responders conduct active shooter training at Dripping Springs ISD campus

DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas (KXAN) — On Friday, first responders from various agencies in Hays County conducted an active shooter response exercise at Cypress Springs Elementary in Dripping Springs Independent School District.

The exercise is a coordinated event between Hays County officials like the Hays County Sheriff’s Office, Hay’s County Constable’s Office, North Hays County Fire Department and DSISD security personnel, according to the district.

Last school year the state required schools to add many new safety features, like safety vestibules, new locks on all classroom doors and SROs on all campuses.

“What was done today (Friday) was, hey, how do we get keys and access cards to people who need them immediately and what is the best way to get help into a school,” said Zach Miller a Deputy Constable in Hays County.

Dripping Springs ISD just added a marshal program last August and part of the training Friday was to make sure everyone knows what to do in an emergency situation.

“Today was just testing the link up with the school marshal,” said Sirenna Cumberland, director of safety for Dripping Springs. “That communication between the marshal on campus and those responding agencies, then once they get into the building there is going to be something telling them there is an active shooter.”

Crews went through three different scenarios, in each they identified the shooter and then eliminated the threat.

Following that, crews identified those who were injured and got them out of the building to be treated.

“Every scenario breeds questions and helps us understand how we can train better in the future,” said Miller.

“We hope that it never happens however we are absolutely responsible for making sure our people are trained,” said Cumberland.

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