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Active shooter training this week at ODU

ODU is hosting an active shooter training course. That means you could hear simulated gunfire and see a lot of flashing lights near campus.

NORFOLK, Va. — Old Dominion University is hosting officials from the Homeland Security department for an active shooter training drill.

“It’s intense, I’ll be honest with you. It’s very real. We have a pop gun that’s making pretty realistic sounds,” explained ODU Emergency Management Associate Director, Jared Hoernig.

The drill is a two-day pilot course. This is the second training across the county with the Department of Homeland Security.

Hoernig said, “In light of things that happened in Virginia Beach, and really the national climate we want to make sure we are prepared if something would happen on campus.”

On Monday, everyone worked in classrooms, learning the techniques for public safety personnel in the event of an active shooter.

On Tuesday, ODU employees including Police and Fire and Norfolk Fire Rescue did realistic exercises in several buildings across campus, including Constant Hall, S.B. Ballard Stadium, and Goode Theater.

“I’ve been learning that you may think you know what you may do in a situation. You may train less than 24 hours ago but when you hear the sound of what could be a gunshot, even knowing that it’s not you react,” explained ODU facility member JaRenae Whitehead.

Everyone involved in the training said they leaned a lot.

“We don’t want this to happen here or anywhere ever again, but we do want to be prepared for it so these kinds of trainings, planning, exercises are important for us to be a step ahead,” said Hoernig.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the ODU Office of Emergency Management at oem@odu.edu or 757-683-5116.

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