In response to the Boston Marathon bombings, UF decided to cancel an emergency exercise that was originally schedule for Thursday morning.
The drill, aimed to test and assess policies and procedures in an emergency, will be rescheduled sometime in mid- to late May, said University Police spokesman Maj. Brad Barber.
UPD Chief Linda Stump wrote in an email to UF faculty, staff and students Tuesday afternoon that the decision came “in consideration of the [Boston Marathon] victims, their family members and the continuing developments surrounding this act of terrorism.”
Local law enforcement officers, firemen, hospital personnel and university officials will participate in the rescheduled exercise, which is required by federal mandate, Barber said.
Stump wrote that a large section of Gale Lemerand Drive will be closed and there will be limited access inside of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium during the drill.
UF will notify the community when the date becomes solidified.
“This is a long-planned exercise,” Barber said, “and certainly something we’ll be moving forward with.”
Contact Kathryn Varn at kvarn@alligator.org.