Authorities train to respond in active shooter drill at CNMI schools

The Konfitma 2024 full-scale exercise has begun.

The annual exercise now includes an active shooter drill, which unfolded at Kagman High School on Tuesday morning with nearby schools also participating.

KUAM News witnessed the exercise begin as the island’s law enforcement sprung into action.

“This is the first scenario for the Konfitma 2024 exercise. So today at PSS there's an active shooter scenario that's being placed. The objectives for this is to test the faculty and staff and the students for an active shooter scenario. The next one is to test the emergency operations plans for CNMI PSS, as well as the coordinating with all the agencies that are responding to the situation and as well as testing the new intercom and fire alarm system that you hear in the background.,” said CNMI Homeland Security & Emergency Management PIO Bernard Villagomez.

 

Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence Camacho said they take safety seriously and have school counselors and the mental health team ready to provide support to students as well. The exercise ends tomorrow

“Next is a hostage and active shooter scenario at the Kagman Juvenile Detention Facility. And then there would be a mass casualty at the hospital at CHC and the decontamination too. And after that, there will be a…chemical exercise at the juvenile detention facility,” said Villagomez.

First responders, of course, hope the scenario never happens, but if it does, that they are prepared.

“We will have an after-action report to identify the gaps that happened during the exercise from all the agencies that are involved in the exercise,” added Villagomez.