WESTPORT–From the “This is just a drill” department, the school district is putting the community on notice that all the emergency personnel who will assemble Friday, April 17, at Bedford Middle School are just there to practice.

In a message sent on Friday, before the start of April break, Schools Superintendent Thomas Scarice said there will be a planned emergency preparedness drill, coordinated by the Aspetuck Health District.

Timed to take place during the April recess, when schools are closed, the drill will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. to test preparedness plans and strengthen collaboration among local and regional partners in response to a public health emergency scenario.

During this time, the gymnasium will be set up as a point of dispensing site as part of a simulated biohazard response.

There will be increased activity at the school, including the presence of police, fire, EMS, and other emergency vehicles and personnel. Please be assured that this is only a drill. There will be no actual emergency or risk to the public, Scarice told parents via ParentSquare, a communication tool used by the district.

Participating agencies include the Westport Police Department, Westport Fire Department, Westport EMS, the Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, and the Connecticut Department of Public Health. 

The drill fulfills federal and state preparedness requirements and is closed to the public.