The Cal State San Marcos University Police Department, in conjunction with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department and San Marcos Fire Department, conducted “active shooter” training exercises on the CSUSM campus on Wednesday, Jan. 9.
The exercises were designed to ensure a coordinated, timely and effective response to any violent event that may take place on campus or in the region.
Other fire departments that participated were Carlsbad, Vista, Escondido, Rancho Santa Fe and Cal Fire Deer Springs.
“Conducting and planning exercises like this are important in order to assess our emergency response, interagency coordination and recovery efforts after such an event,” said Scott Ybarrondo, the chief of the University Police Department. “Recently we have witnessed tragic events like the Borderline Bar and Grill incident in Thousand Oaks. In our effort to keep our students and community safe, it’s important that we train and prepare for such a contingency.”
On Nov. 7, a gunman killed 12 people in a mass shooting at Borderline Bar and Grill, a country-western bar frequented by college students.
Parts of the CSUSM campus were closed during the active shooter drills.
“Emergency preparedness is a top priority for the City of San Marcos, and more training means better safety,” Fire Chief Brett Van Wey said. “This exercise provides a tremendous opportunity for the region’s fire and law enforcement resources to come together and train as one team.”
Photos and video of the active shooter training can be found here.
In the case of an active shooter on campus, the UPD recommends the advice “run, hide, fight.”
For more information about public safety at CSUSM, go to
www.csusm.edu/police. For more information about public safety in San Marcos, go to www.san-marcos.net/crimeprevention.
About California State University San Marcos
Building on an innovative 29-year history, California State University San Marcos is a forward-focused institution, dedicated to preparing future leaders, building great communities and solving critical issues. Located on a 304-acre hillside overlooking the City of San Marcos, it is the only public four-year comprehensive university serving North San Diego, Southwest Riverside and South Orange counties.
The University enrolls 17,000 students. With approximately 2,000 employees, the institution is a Great College to Work For® (The Chronicle of Higher Education). As a recipient of the annual HEED Award since 2014 — a national honor recognizing U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion — CSUSM is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment.
