Safety First: Tabletop Exercise Brings Administration and First Responders Together
On Thursday, November 6, several members of Heathwood Hall’s senior administration and emergency management team partnered with CRG Group, Richland County Sheriff's Department, Columbia Police Department, Columbia Fire and Columbia Communications to conduct a tabletop exercise using newly-designed campus grid maps. The simulation allowed the team to practice a variety of scenarios, coordinating responses with local police departments and EMTs to ensure swift, effective action in any emergency situation.
At Heathwood Hall, the safety and wellbeing of our students, faculty, and visitors are our highest priorities, and exercises like this help us refine our emergency preparedness plans and strengthen collaboration with first responders,” said Chris Hinchey, Head of School.
Last spring, Heathwood Hall engaged CRG Group to develop digital-gridded maps of its campus and 22 buildings which are now accessible to law enforcement, emergency services, and first responders including Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD), South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), Columbia Fire, Cayce Police Department, Richland County EMS, and Columbia Police.
The School’s commitment to safety extends beyond drills and simulations. Deputy Josh Albins of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, who serves as Heathwood’s Student Resource Officer (SRO), stated “Heathwood is ahead of the curve regarding safety response protocols and implementation. It has been a pleasure working with a forward-thinking administration that invites dynamic collaboration and training to their staff. The training initiatives I bring to the table are always met with an enthusiasm that shows their dedication to student safety.”
Deputy Albins works closely with multiple law enforcement divisions, emergency response teams, and school leadership to implement best practices in emergency preparedness, access control, and daily campus monitoring. From secure check-in procedures to regular safety drills, every measure is designed to provide safety while allowing students to learn, grow, and thrive.
Heathwood strives to maintain a secure environment that balances robust safety protocols with the freedom and joy students experience across the School’s beautiful, 122-acre campus.
For more information on Heathwood’s safety measures, click here.
