DEMOREST, Ga. — Piedmont University will conduct a large-scale emergency response drill on Wednesday, April 15, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen campus safety and preparedness.
The mass casualty exercise will take place on the university’s Demorest campus and will simulate a major emergency scenario. The training is designed to give emergency responders, university staff, and students — particularly those in the School of Nursing — hands-on experience in responding to high-impact incidents.
University officials say the drill will include multiple simulated situations, allowing participants to practice coordination, communication, and response protocols in real time.
Residents should expect to see an increased presence of emergency vehicles, first responders, and simulated victims on campus during the exercise. Officials stress there is no cause for alarm, as all activity is part of the planned training.
Some traffic disruptions are expected. With support from the City of Demorest, College Drive will be closed on April 15 between Georgia Street, near the tennis courts, and Maine Street. Major roads in the area may experience brief delays.
The exercise will involve a wide range of local and regional agencies working alongside the Piedmont University Police Department, including Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security, Georgia State Patrol, Habersham County emergency services, local law enforcement and fire departments, public health officials, and regional healthcare providers.
In addition to nursing students, several academic programs will take part in the drill, including communication sciences and disorders, athletic training, counseling services, and mass communications.
University leaders say the exercise reflects Piedmont’s continued commitment to improving emergency response capabilities and ensuring the safety of students, faculty, staff, and the surrounding community.
