THOMASVILLE — On Wednesday, Southwest Georgia Technical College (SWGTC) will conduct an armed intruder drill. The drill will define procedures that school officials are to implement in the case of an armed intruder entering the campus. The simulation will be orchestrated in conjunction with the Thomasville Police Department, Thomas County Sheriff’s Office, local emergency medical personnel and the Georgia State Patrol. This drill will give SWGTC and all associated emergency response personnel an opportunity to identify areas of improvement and make necessary adjustments.

“Although we hope that none of us will ever have to use the knowledge that will be gained through this type of realistic drill, it is our responsibility to ensure that our students, faculty, and staff have the opportunity to experience such a simulation annually in order to practice procedures and steps that could keep them from being harmed if such an emergency occurred in their lives in the future. In light of incidents that have occurred at schools, businesses, and even military installations over the past few years, it is incumbent for our college to have this drill. I believe our institution will be better prepared to handle this type of event having experienced a simulation of this magnitude,” said SWGTC President Dr. Craig Wentworth.

Though mass casualty and armed intruder incidents are not occurring any more frequently than they have in the past, casualties per incident have increased in recent years. Historically, these events create victims in the first few seconds before the police have time to respond. The objective of this simulation drill is to train students, faculty and staff with initial actions they can take to make a difference and potentially save lives in the crucial moments before emergency services personnel arrive.

“While we believe that an armed intruder incident is unlikely at Southwest Georgia Technical College, we understand it is prudent to conduct appropriate training. Therefore, we have coordinated with the Thomasville Police Department to create a drill that hopefully will prepare us to react properly in the event an armed intruder was to appear on one of our campuses. The goal is for this drill to be a learning experience that we can use to improve and ensure the safety of everyone on our SWGTC campuses,” said Dennis Lee, VP of Economic Development and campus safety and security coordinator.