The Columbia County Office of Emergency Management’s annual drill was Monday morning around Central Elementary School. Streets were blocked around the school as the drill was going on. There were no classes at Magnolia Public Schools Monday, as the teachers were having professional development. The emergency preparedness drill simulated an active shooter situation. There were two men playing the part of the shooters, and others playing the parts of injured victims. The job for police was to go in and take out the threat and help EMTs get to the injured. Officers conducted a search and neutralized the threat. Then all parties involved in the drill met at the Magnolia City Council Chambers for a debriefing and press conference. Agencies participating in the drill include: the Office of Emergency Management, the Magnolia Police Department, Columbia County Sheriff’s Department, SAU Police, the Arkansas State Police, Magnolia Fire Department, Columbia County Ambulance Service, Magnolia Regional Medical Center, and Magnolia Public Schools. The drill started around 8:30 a.m. and lasted about two hours.
