HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- Hanscom AFB will conduct a base exercise scenario, including an active-shooter portion, Nov. 13 to evaluate the installation’s readiness and emergency response capabilities.
Master Sgt. David Kedzierski, one of the exercise planners, said this helps the base be ready for real-world situations.
“We can never know what might happen, but by running these exercises we can evaluate where we have strengths and where we might need improvement,” he said.
Organizers say there will be base-wide engagement and personnel should anticipate disruptions to daily routines, such as building lockdowns, restrictions or evacuations. There may also be delays and disruptions to normal operations, including customer service functions. In addition, activities may also result in traffic delays both entering and exiting the installation.
Base officials are emphasizing safety to all involved, and if any real-world emergency takes place, they will stop the exercise immediately.
Kedzierski said Wing Inspection Team members will be monitoring the scenario.
“If a member of Team Hanscom sees something that he or she believes to be unsafe, they should report it to a WIT member immediately,” he said. All WIT members, who will be wearing blue vests during the exercise, have the ability to stop the exercise.
As a reminder, personnel should only call 911 for real-world emergencies. For questions or concerns prior to the exercise, base personnel should contact Hanscom’s Inspector General Office at 781-225-5530. Once the exercise has begun, contact the White Cell at 781-225-1397.