Emergency vehicles and personnel stationed around Oak Park and River Forest High School on Monday, Aug. 3, are part of a planned drill, not a real emergency.

A full-scale emergency management exercise is underway at the OPRF campus, running from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Three streets near the school are closed for the duration: Erie Street from The Mall to Scoville Avenue, Scoville Avenue from Erie Street to Ontario Street, and The Mall from Erie Street to Lake Street. Alleys and adjacent streets remain open.

The Oak Park Police Department announced the exercise on X on Friday, July 31, noting the drill involves the Village's police and fire departments along with regional partners.

The exercise brings together more than a dozen agencies, including OPD, the Oak Park Fire Department, Oak Park Public Health and Public Works departments, Cook County, area hospitals, the CTA, and four school districts: District 97, District 90, District 91, and District 200. Participants are practicing coordinated responses to a simulated emergency using established protocols, according to a District 97 announcement posted July 22.

No live firearms, blank-firing weapons, paintball markers, airsoft guns, or other simulated firearms are being used.

Residents near the campus may observe emergency vehicles, simulated patient transport, and emergency personnel operating throughout the day.

"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, OPRF's Director of Campus Safety, said in the July 22 announcement.

The drill was scheduled before the school year begins, when no students, athletic practices, or activities are on campus. Community volunteers 18 and older are serving as role players and assisting with emergency communications to create realistic scenarios for responders.

Tuesday reunification drill

The exercise continues Tuesday, Aug. 4, with a reunification drill at both OPRF High School and Percy Julian Middle School from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. That exercise practices the process of safely reuniting students with families after an emergency. The Mall from Erie Street to Lake Street will be closed during that window.

Felicia Starks, District 97's Chief Safety Officer, said in the July 22 District 97 announcement that the reunification drill "gives us the opportunity to strengthen our procedures and work alongside our public safety partners before students and staff return."

Questions about the exercise can be directed to Devitt at [email protected].