No Active Shooter at Dade Middle School; Emergency Agencies Conducting Training Exercise
TRENTON, Ga. — Dade County Emergency Services is reassuring the public that there is no active shooter at Dade County Middle School after radio traffic from a planned training exercise caused concern among some residents.
Dade County 911 Emergency Management and EMS Director Alex Case said emergency personnel were conducting an active shooter training exercise at Dade Middle School to help local agencies prepare for a real emergency.
The exercise includes personnel from Dade County EMS, Emergency Management, Dade County 911, the Dade County Sheriff’s Office, the Trenton Police Department, local fire departments, and other first responders. Agencies are practicing coordinated communications, command operations, patient care, and emergency response procedures.
Because the exercise involves realistic radio traffic, command boards, and multiple emergency vehicles, information heard on scanner apps and shared on social media led some people to believe an actual emergency was unfolding.
Case emphasized that there is no active shooter, no shooting, and no active incident at Dade County Middle School or anywhere else in Dade County.
Officials said the training is designed to strengthen coordination among public safety agencies and ensure responders are prepared to protect students, staff, and the community should a real emergency ever occur.
Similar active shooter and mass casualty training exercises are conducted regularly by emergency management agencies, law enforcement, fire departments, and EMS agencies across Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, and throughout the country. Many jurisdictions notify local media and residents before these exercises begin to help prevent confusion when emergency vehicles, radio traffic, or social media reports are observed.
Emergency officials apologized for any confusion or concern caused by the exercise and thanked the public for their understanding.
Authorities said all activities at Dade County Middle School are part of the scheduled training exercise, and there is no danger to students, school staff, or the public.