WLBT 3 - Jackson, MS: Morton HS prepares for emergency evacuations

Morton HS prepares for emergency evacuations

By Monica Hernandez - bio | email

MORTON, MS (WLBT) - Blue lights flashed and police sirens sounded in front of Morton High School Monday morning.

Law enforcement officials were helping the high school conduct it's first ever disaster evacuation drill.

The drill was designed to train staff and students how to safely and calmly evacuate in even the worst-case scenario, whether it be a chemical spill, school shooting, or bomb threat.

"It's very important in the wake of all the school violence that's going on. We in Morton want to be proactive. We don't want to wait until something happens to be ready for it," said Lt. Henry Minor, school resource officer for the Morton Attendance Center.

"We just have to be prepared, and hopefully we'll never have to use this," said Sarah Richardson, Morton High School principal.

As part of the drill, buses were called to pick up the school's 420 students. The buses drove to the evacuation location a few miles away on Highway 13, where all students were accounted for.

"Some of us were very intense about the situation. It was, okay, we've got to get from point A to point B, get there safely," said 10th grader Lenethra Laster.

Officials said it's the first high school drill of it's kind in Central Mississippi.

"It wasn't nearly as chaotic as it could have been. Local law enforcement did a great job helping us prepare. The kids did exceptionally well. The teachers, we trained them last Monday, I think they did well," said Richardson.

"I think we're ready. Everybody's ready for a disaster," said Lt. Minor

The Scott County School district will perform the drill next.