This Saturday November 2, the St. Clair County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management will be conducting a hostile event exercise at the Marysville United Methodist Church in Marysville. St. Clair County Homeland Security and Emergency Management Director, Justin Westmiller said they “are looking to actively exercise response plans regarding an active threat in a public venue.” In doing so, the group hopes to accomplish two things with the exercise. First, they want to practice the Active Shooter Hostile Event (ASHE) plan with first responders. A public venue, like the church they are using, will help in that effort, by giving a public venue scenario. Along with the ASHE plan, area hospitals are required to participate annually in a mass trauma situation. The community-based exercise ensures area hospitals retain their Hospital Trauma Designation as outlined by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Residents should be aware that there will be an increased presence of emergency vehicles and personnel at the Marysville United Methodist Church tomorrow morning beginning at 7 a.m., but that there is no reason to be alarmed. Westmiller said, “St Johns River District, Lake Huron Medical Center, and McLaren Port Huron will also be involved, and Marysville Public Safety will be the Incident Commander for the event.” Normal business at the hospitals are not expected to be interrupted.
