Community

School “active threat” training scheduled for Saturday in Ashburn

People who live or travel in northwest Ashburn this Saturday — March 19 — may notice what looks like a major emergency unfolding. But rest assured, it’s only a drill.

The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office and the Loudoun County Fire Rescue are holding a full-scale emergency drill starting at 8 a.m.

The activity will be centered in and around Trailside Middle School off Claiborne Parkway, but the action will extend to nearby Stone Bridge High School and Newton-Lee Elementary School.

“The exercise will focus on an emergency response to an active threat inside the school,” according to an announcement from the LCSO. “The training will involve simulated scenarios and deputies and emergency personnel utilizing training equipment.  The goal of this exercise is to assess the readiness of first responders to assure a coordinated, timely, and effective response and recovery in the event of a critical incident here in Loudoun County.”

Because of the drill, anyone in the area is likely to notice significant law enforcement activity and emergency personnel. The agencies involved are actively trying to spread the word to the community to reduce any alarm.

The drill — which is closed to the public — is expected to wrap up around noon Saturday. School personnel and law enforcement officers will be located in the immediate area to help keep traffic flowing smoothly.