On Tuesday, June 10, 2025, multiple emergency response agencies will converge on Jack Robey Junior High School in Pine Bluff for a full-scale training exercise simulating a Pediatric/Adult Mass Casualty Incident (MCI). The drill, which begins at 9:00 a.m., will center around a fictional active shooter scenario and aims to test emergency preparedness, interagency communication, and coordinated response to a large-scale crisis.
The exercise will unfold at Jack Robey Junior High, located at 4101 South Olive Street, and will simulate a chaotic and high-risk situation: an active shooter opening fire during a school assembly. The fictional event results in numerous injuries among both students and adults, triggering a comprehensive response from emergency personnel across the region.
Participants will simulate every stage of response, including emergency dispatch, on-site triage using SMART Triage tags, treatment in designated casualty collection areas, and the transportation of victims to medical facilities. The exercise will also serve as a critical opportunity to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of interagency operations under pressure.
Participating agencies include:
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Arkansas Department of Health (ADH)
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Pine Bluff Fire & Emergency Services (PBF&ES)
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Emergency Ambulance Service, Inc. (EASI)
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Pine Bluff Police Department
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Pine Bluff School District and its Security Personnel
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Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office
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Arkansas State Police
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University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) MASH students and volunteers, serving as simulated victims
Key objectives of the exercise:
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Strengthen communication and coordination between emergency agencies
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Practice rapid and accurate triage of pediatric and adult casualties
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Establish effective casualty collection and treatment zones
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Coordinate timely evacuation and patient transport
This exercise represents a vital step in preparing for real-life emergencies and is part of ongoing efforts to build a more resilient and responsive public safety infrastructure across Arkansas. By bringing together local, regional, and state resources, the drill reinforces the importance of collaboration in saving lives during mass casualty events.
While the training event is a controlled simulation, residents in the area should expect to see heightened emergency vehicle activity and personnel presence throughout the day. Officials emphasize that this is only a drill, and there is no cause for alarm.
Media access will be managed on-site. For more information or to schedule interviews with participating agencies, please contact one of the designated exercise coordinators.
