Photo Credit: VanBuren Tech

Commuters passing Armuchee High School early Monday morning might have been startled by the sight of emergency vehicles swarming the campus, a simulated plane crash, and smoke billowing into the air. However, residents can rest assured that the apparent chaos is part of a comprehensive disaster simulation exercise orchestrated by Floyd County Schools (FCS) in collaboration with local emergency service agencies.

The drill, scheduled to commence at 9 a.m. and run until noon, is designed to rigorously test and refine the emergency response protocols in place for such a catastrophic event. Volunteers and representatives from the Rome Floyd Fire Department, Floyd County Police Department, Floyd County Emergency Management Agency, and Floyd County 911 will actively participate in a realistic scenario involving a plane crash.

According to the simulation’s narrative, a plane taking off from Richard B. Russell Regional Airport encounters a flock of birds, leading to engine failure. The aircraft will then “crash” onto the grounds of Armuchee High School, with its full fuel tank igniting a significant fire. The Rome Floyd Fire Department will take the lead in managing the scene, coordinating with other first responders to simulate the evacuation and treatment of students and staff.

“The overarching goal of this disaster simulation is to practice how the school system and emergency agencies respond to an emergency of this caliber,” explained Rick Flanigen, Chief Safety Officer for Floyd County Schools. “Specifically, we are focusing on the critical elements of evacuation, transportation, and reunification of students with their families. This drill is crucial for us to identify what works and what may need improvement in our established procedures.”

The simulation will involve approximately 150 Armuchee High School students acting as volunteers. Twenty of these students will take on the demanding roles of victims with serious injuries, complete with realistic makeup and prosthetics, a detail that has generated excitement among the participating students. Additionally, volunteer teachers will join the student actors in recreating a typical school day and enacting the school’s emergency procedures.

Flanigen emphasized the importance of such exercises for community reassurance. “I’m hoping the community will see we’re really committed to making sure we can provide the safest and most secure instructional environment for their students,” he stated.

The elaborate drill is the culmination of nearly a year of meticulous planning. Flanigen and his team have dedicated significant time to coordinating with the numerous agencies involved, arranging logistics, and organizing volunteers to ensure every facet of the simulation is as realistic and impactful as possible. “The more aspects you want to test within the system, the more planning and infrastructure are required,” Flanigen noted. “You need dedicated personnel and robust processes to ensure that your objectives are met.”

While Floyd County Schools has conducted disaster simulations in the past, Monday’s exercise represents a significant undertaking, described by Flanigen as a “once-in-five-years” type of event. “The scope of this exercise is unparalleled compared to previous drills,” he said. “A great deal of time and effort has been invested by many individuals, and we are eagerly anticipating the outcomes.”

During the three-hour simulation, attendees may observe emergency personnel moving between the Thornton Recreation Center and Armuchee High School. The use of simulated smoke and controlled, minor explosions will contribute to the realism of the scenario. Organizers have indicated that no traffic disruptions are anticipated, and any sirens or flashing lights observed in the area are likely to be part of the training exercise. The simulation aims to ensure that in the event of a real emergency, all responding parties are well-prepared and have practiced working cohesively.