Tahoma Junior High School will conduct a training exercise for students and staff Wednesday.

The drill wil be in conjunction with the King County Sheriff’s Office, Maple Valley Police Department and Maple Valley Fire and Life Safety.  The training is designed to test the school’s emergency intruder and lockdown procedures.

The drill will begin with a sheriff’s deputy, posing as an intruder, who enters the building.  A lockdown will be ordered in which students and staff will remain inside locked classrooms until they are notified that the drill is over.

The Sheriff’s SWAT team will be called in to check the building and locate the intruder.

According to an email sent by Tahoma Junior High Principal Rob Morrow to parents, the students will be advised prior to the drill that it is a practice exercise and none of the sheriff’s deputies will be armed, though they will carry simulated weapons that are designed specifically for practice.

A sheriff’s patrol deputy will be assigned to remain outside the school to provide security.

Firefighters from Maple Valley Fire and Life Safety will also participate in the drill setting up a simulated command center and coordinating removal of faux injured students/adults.

SWAT and Maple Valley Fire will remain on campus through lunch to answer student questions and allow them to tour/inspect their equipment.