SWAT and CERT to Take Over Merrill Library

A number of organizations will take advantage of Utah State University’s soon to be demolished library, and a schedule for a number of agencies has been established.

Cache Valley residents, as well as the campus community, should be aware that a number of emergency organizations will be in and around the building during these exercises. Fire, police, SWAT and other groups will be involved. A campus-wide CERT exercise is planned as well.

 

Emergency exercises will begin Feb. 21, when members of the Logan City Fire Department will be at the site. Drills and exercises continue until the building’s planned demolition March 13.

 

A major activity is a CERT drill Feb. 23. CERT — the Community, Emergency Response Team — will use the library as a staging area during a mock earthquake drill. The CERT program hopes to form teams in every building on campus. In the event of an emergency, these teams would be activated to perform search and rescue, first aid and suppression, and would also work with outside agencies at the scene.

 

During the Feb. 23 exercise, there will be “victims” in the building, reports of structural damage and much more in this real-life scenario.

 

“This will be a big drill to see how prepared we are,” said representatives in USU’s Police Department.