Articles
MIT Emergency Exercise
In keeping with best practices in higher education emergency management and in an effort to further enhance the preparedness of our first responders, MIT Emergency Management and MIT Police will be conducting a full-scale emergency training exercise on Wednesday, January 22, at Kresge Auditorium (Building W16). Due to the realistic nature of the training exercise, which will include simulated gunfire, the entire building, the Kresge Oval, the Kresge BBQ pits, and the Kresge parking lot will be closed to the public from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Exercise
This exercise will allow first responders, both internal and external to MIT, to practice their response efforts in a realistic, yet controlled, environment. In addition, this exercise provides the Institute with the opportunity to evaluate our emergency protocols and to ensure a coordinated, timely, and effective response in the event of a real threat to the campus.
Every effort is being made to ensure that our community is aware of the exercise. The exercise area will be fenced off, ample signage will be posted, and MIT Police officers will be stationed at entrances to ensure that only authorized and screened participants are allowed inside. The exercise has intentionally been scheduled between semesters, during the Independent Activities Period (IAP), to minimize disruption to campus operations.
MIT Alert Test and Survey
In conjunction with the exercise, a campus-wide test of the MIT Alert system will be conducted. This test will be utilized to evaluate and review the various procedures, responsibilities, and connections of the system. This test will also allow the community to provide feedback about MIT Alert.
Questions and Concerns
We want to acknowledge the nature of this exercise and the impact it could have on community members who have witnessed or been involved in traumatic incidents in the past. We encourage anyone who needs support to access these resources:
- Student Mental Health and Counseling Services at 617-253-2916
- Student Support Services at 617-253-4861
- GradSupport at 617-253-4860
- For employees: MIT MyLife Services at 844-405-LIFE (844-405-5433) or (TTY) 866-892-7162
If you have any additional questions or concerns about the exercise, or would like more information about how to prepare for and respond to emergencies on campus, please contact MIT Emergency Management at em-staff@mit.edu or 617-452-4368.
We appreciate your understanding as we plan this important training opportunity for our first responders. Thank you for helping us to build a safer and more prepared MIT.
