The University's Office of Emergency Preparedness and the Charlottesville and Albermarle County Emergency Management Office held an evacuation drill yesterday in Scott Stadium.
The drill simulated an evacuation during severe weather at a football game. The 29 participating emergency response agencies in and around Charlottesville aimed to strengthen communications among emergency services prior to an actual crisis, University spokesperson Carol Wood said.
The drill was "designed to establish a learning environment so emergency responders know what to do in an emergency," she said. "It sharpens your mind about what to keep in mind [in an emergency] and what questions you need to be asking all the time."
In the drill, participants filled three roles: evaluators observed the action, controllers coordinated communications between participants and actors modeled public citizens' reactions to a crisis.
Organizers sent two rounds of e-mails to students, whom they relied on to play actors, but braced themselves for poor student turnout.
In then end, less than 20 students attended, Associate Dean of Students Aaron Laushway said.
"I understand that Wednesday morning wasn't optimal," he said. "But I do think that in the future [student participation] would be very beneficial for the organizations involved."
Laushway said future student participation in similar events would allow actors "to know how diligent and dedicated these people are to ensuring safety and well-being of everyone in the community."
Though Colin Hood, former president of student emergency preparedness organization Hoos Ready, thought the drill could have used more student participation, he said he enjoyed the performances put on by several of the attending actors.
"Some of the scripts they were asked to play were enjoyable," he said. "One girl was a child and she had to hug the West Gate and cry."
Hood also admired the amount of detail and planning that went into the operation.
"They really went out of their way to make this a legitimate drill," he said, noting a thunder and lightning soundtrack playing during the drill and the participation of the game-day announcer in the imitation football game.
Officials tested response times and briefed organizations about the collective role they play in responding to emergency situations. The gathered information will be used to assess and improve emergency preparedness at the University.
Laushway also said he hoped student participation will grow in the future.
"I think increased awareness about how we all work with one another to ensure everyone's safety is crucial," he said.
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