Three streets near Oak Park and River Forest High School will shut down for six and a half hours on Monday, August 3, as police, fire, and hospital crews run a full-scale emergency drill on the OPRF campus.
The exercise brings together all four local school districts — Districts 97, 90, 91, and 200 — alongside Oak Park police and fire, River Forest police and fire, Forest Park police and fire, Cook County, Rush Oak Park Hospital, Loyola University Medical Center, the CTA, and other regional partners, according to a District 97 announcement published July 22.
Road closures
On Monday, August 3, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., the following streets will be closed near OPRF High School, 201 N. Scoville Ave.:
- Erie Street from The Mall to Scoville Avenue
- Scoville Avenue from Erie Street to Ontario Street
- The Mall from Erie Street to Lake Street
Alleys and adjacent streets will remain open.
On Tuesday, August 4, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., The Mall from Erie Street to Lake Street will close again for a reunification exercise at both OPRFHS and Percy Julian Middle School.
What residents will see
Emergency vehicles, simulated patient transport, and emergency personnel will be operating around the OPRF campus on August 3 and at Julian Middle School on August 4. No live firearms, blank-firing weapons, paintball markers, airsoft guns, or other simulated firearms will be used at any point during the exercise, according to the District 97 announcement.
The drill was scheduled before the school year begins, when no classes, athletic practices, or student activities are taking place.
Who's leading it
"This exercise gives us an invaluable opportunity to put those plans into practice, identify areas for improvement, and strengthen our ability to respond effectively should a real emergency ever occur," Kristen Devitt, OPRFHS Director of Campus Safety, said in the July 22 announcement.
Village Manager Kevin J. Jackson called the drill a reflection of "strong, collaborative relationships" between Oak Park and its community partners. Felicia Starks, District 97's Chief Safety Officer, said the Tuesday reunification exercise will help strengthen procedures before students and staff return.
Volunteers needed
Community members 18 and older can volunteer as role players or assist with emergency communications. Registration is available through an online form on the District 97 website. Questions can be directed to Devitt at [email protected].
