Coast Guard, others team up for active shooter drill Saturday

It’s only a drill.

This time.

U.S. Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound, as well as other state and local agencies, are scheduled to hold an active shooter drill at the Washington State Ferries Eagle Harbor Maintenance Facility from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 21.

Nearby residents and community members around the facility and surrounding waterway should expect a large number of first responders, equipment, sirens and simulated gunfire.

This is a test of staff and equipment and will not pose a threat to the public, Coast Guard officials said in a recent announcement warning of the drill.

Law enforcement officers will continue their training aboard the WSF M/V Kittitas Monday, Sept. 23, while underway in Puget Sound. The Kittitas will thus not have passenger service during the exercise.

Organized by the Coast Guard, officials said this important drill will simulate a full response to a large-scale attack. It will include coordination between numerous agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Customs and Border Protection, Washington State Ferries, Washington State Patrol, both local and state offices of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, the Port of Seattle, the Seattle police and fire departments and EMS as well.