A full-scale active shooter exercise was held at IU Bloomington in November 2014. Coordinated by EMC, the exercise tested how well police, communications, executive leadership, and student affairs can work together to address and recover from such a tragic event.

The documentary Tough Decisions: Defending the Homeland chronicles a simulation of terrorism in Indianapolis as IU students play the roles of government and civilian officials.

IU’s emergency responders know what to do, in part because of National Incident Management System (NIMS) training. At the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center, first responders experience firsthand everything from tornadoes and floods to prison riots and chemical spills.

EMC staff practice emergency response to ensure the university does the best job of protecting students, faculty, staff, and visitors. One method of practice is the tabletop exercise, a low-stress, discussion-based method for testing response procedures and strategies. Conducting and learning from these exercises are part of IU’s emergency management activities.

From staging active shooter scenarios with IUPUI faculty to teaching IU Bloomington students to survive the zombie apocalypse, EMC helps the IU community prepare for anything that might occur on an IU campus.

In 2012, tornadoes devastated several communities near Louisville. When the state called for assistance, EMC’s directors answered. They helped state and local officials manage and coordinate rescue efforts.

When Hurricane Sandy hit the east coast in 2012, Indiana’s Incident Management Assistance Team went to help. As part of the team, EMC directors focused on debris management, volunteer and donation management, and public relations for the 10-mile-long Barrier Island.