School in Oregon stages hostage drill

5/11/2001

A mock hostage-taking was conducted yesterday to allow officials at the Shuer Center, 4955 Seaman Rd., Oregon, to test plans for dealing with such a crisis.

About 100 pupils were ushered from the building an hour and 20 minutes after a sheriff's deputy portraying the assailant entered, said Tom Baker, superintendent of the Lucas County educational service center.

Taken hostage were a supervisor, a principal, and a secretary. “A team of officials removed the kids like they were in a real situation and [took them] to Clay High School,” Mr. Baker said.

About 70 police and rescue personnel, the FBI, and Lucas County emergency management agency took part.

Shuer operates a pre-school program and teaches children who are multi-handicapped or have behavior problems.