Lake Area Technical College to Host Large-Scale Emergency Drill

Lake Area Technical College is set to conduct a large-scale emergency response training exercise on Thursday, April 23, 2026, involving interdisciplinary collaboration with law enforcement, med/fire rescue, and patient transport scenarios. The drill will include a temporary road closure and increased emergency vehicle presence.

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - Lake Area Technical College (LATC) has announced plans for a hands-on emergency response training exercise scheduled for Thursday, April 23, 2026.

The simulation is set to begin around 9:00 AM and is expected to last approximately four hours. The exercise will take place in the vicinity of the college and Watertown High School.

The training exercise will simulate a narcotics investigation beginning at the Law Enforcement training house on Arrow Avenue. During the drill:

·         Law Enforcement students will serve a search warrant and encounter multiple simulated victims.

·         Simulated gunfire may occur as part of the training.

·         Med/Fire Rescue students will provide on-site medical care and transport “patients” to various campus facilities, including the Nursing Simulation and Surgical Technology labs.

·         Participating students from Law Enforcement, Nursing, Med/Fire Rescue, and several other programs will collaborate in this interdisciplinary event.

Impact on the Public

The college is advising the public of the following logistical details for the morning of April 23:

·         Road Closure: Arrow Avenue will be briefly closed between 11th St. NE and 9th St. NE.

·         Visibility: Emergency vehicles, first responders, and simulated victims (portrayed by students) will be visible in the area.

·         Safety Note: President Tiffany Sanderson emphasized that this is only a training exercise and there is no real emergency or threat to the campus or the community.

Preparing Future Professionals

This event marks the college’s first large-scale simulation since 2018.

“This emergency response simulation will give our students experience that can’t be created in a traditional classroom,” said President Sanderson. She noted that the high-pressure environment is designed to help students sharpen their judgment and teamwork skills before they enter their professional careers.

Residents are asked to avoid the area during the exercise if possible. For more information, the public can contact Lake Area Technical College at 605-882-5284.