Clark County schools train for emergencies with student reunification drill

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Clark County schools practiced Tuesday what would happen in some of the worst emergencies and how students would safely reunite with their families afterward.

School officials, law enforcement, emergency responders and students took part in a reunification exercise designed to simulate how a school would respond if a campus had to be evacuated during a crisis.

The training is part of an effort to improve coordination and speed in high-stress situations, whether caused by severe weather, hazardous materials or other emergencies.

"The reunification process is all about something bad has happened at the school," School Safety Director Scott Gardner said.

"That could be storm damage, that could be hazardous materials or it even could be a worst-case scenario."

The exercise allowed participants to walk through the process in real time from accounting for students to transporting them and reuniting them with families at a separate location.

Officials said the goal is to make sure communication and logistics are clear before an actual emergency ever happens.

Four Clark County school corporations, including Clarksville Community Schools, took part in the training.