Active-Shooter Response Exercise Planned for Terraset Elementary School Friday

Residents are being asked to steer clear of Terraset Elementary School on Friday, and they should not be alarmed if they see a large number of emergency responders there.

The fire and police departments will be at the school making sure they are prepared in the event of a nightmarish scenario.

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue will be conducting an active-shooter training exercise at the school (11411 Ridge Heights Road). According to a press release, this is “primarily a fire and rescue training exercise, and they will be supported by the Fairfax County Police Department, the Town of Vienna Police Department and CIA officers.”

More than 30 fire and police vehicles are expected to be around the school and at nearby Langston Hughes Middle School for the exercise. Mannequins will be used for fire and rescue personnel to evacuate to local hospitals.

The activity at the school is scheduled for 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday. While the school will remain open for those who need to conduct business there, residents are asked to stay away because of the many moving vehicles that will be in the area of the campus.

The Virginia Department of Emergency Management offers information about what to do in an active-shooter scenario, as does Fairfax County.