Emergency Drill Set For Auten Road School
Residents are asked to avoid the area, which will be closed, on May 23.
An emergency evacuation drill will be held at Auten Road Intermediate School on May 23, causing road closures in the area.
The drill will simulate a train derailment on the railroad tracks behind the school, with all participating students and staff evacuating the building and walking to Hillsborough High School.
Auten Road between the railroad tracks and Amwell Road will be closed to traffic during the drill. The intersections at Triangle, New Amwell and Amwell roads will also be closed briefly as the students and staff cross.
The district is asking community members to consider avoiding the area during this evacuation exercise.
The exercise is being conducted as part of a Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools grant the district received in 2010. The drill will provide the district, Hillsborough Township, and county emergency services personnel the opportunity to test emergency plans and practice working together in accordance with the National Incident Management System.
Fifth and sixth grade students, district staff, Hillsborough Police Department, Hillsborough Rescue Squad, Hillsborough Fire Department, Hillsborough Office of Emergency Management, representatives from several railroad companies, and county emergency services personnel will participate.
In This article
-
Auten Road Intermediate School
281 Auten Rd, Hillsborough, NJ -
Hillsborough High School
466 Raider Blvd, Hillsborough, NJ -
Hillsborough Township Police Department
379 S Branch Rd, Hillsborough, NJ
Laura Madsen
8:34 am on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Was there any mention about the time of day this would happen? Obviously it will be during school hours, but for planning purposes to get around town, I'm curious.
Fernando
9:22 am on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Laura, I thought if the same thing as I'm reading it. It would be nice to let the community know WHEN to avoid those areas
Colleen Bain, MAED
9:43 am on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Laura,
I am also wondering about some of these details. I'm sure we will get more information soon.
Why are they having the students walk to the High School?
Why wouldn't they just get the students up the road to the Middle School?
What are they doing with special needs students who can't walk that far or will experience upset from this drill - I wonder if participation was voluntary?
Helene Todd
10:52 am on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
There was an FAQ sent home with the students. They say it will start approximately 1:15pm. They don't say why the high school and not the middle school, but their are medical staff going, to handle any special needs, along with Hillsborough Rescue Squad.
Laura Madsen
4:09 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Thanks Helene for sharing the information. That will be helpful when driving around town.
Rich
4:07 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
The drill is simulating a toxic gas leak from the derailed train. The Middle School would not be safe in a real emergency. That's why they are going to the High School and not waiting around for transportation. A large number of the teachers have received CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) training for emergencies like this.
Laura Madsen
4:09 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
I'm learning so much. Thanks, Rich. They never did things like this when I was in school.
Colleen Bain, MAED
7:03 pm on Sunday, May 20, 2012
Do we know when the drill ends and roads open up again? I have a child in private do home 2:30ish off auten rd.