Full-Scale Emergency Management Exercise Scheduled for Aug. 3-4

Published on July 21, 2026

Oak Park and River Forest High School will host a full-scale emergency management exercise on Monday, Aug. 3, and a reunification exercise at both OPRFHS and Percy Julian Middle School on Tuesday, Aug. 4, in partnership with the Village of Oak Park Police, Fire, Public Health, and Public Works Departments; the River Forest Police and Fire Departments; the Forest Park Police and Fire Departments; School Districts 90, 91, and 97; Cook County; Rush Oak Park Hospital; Loyola University Medical Center; the Chicago Transit Authority; and other regional partners.

The exercise is designed to evaluate and strengthen emergency response plans, coordination among partner agencies, and communication systems in a realistic, full-scale environment. Participants will practice responding to a simulated emergency using established protocols, helping participating agencies prepare for a wide range of emergency scenarios.

"Public safety is a shared responsibility and this exercise reflects the strong, collaborative relationships between the Village of Oak Park and our partners across the community,” said Village Manager Kevin J. Jackson. “Exercises like this one are essential to ensuring our first responders are prepared to work seamlessly together when it matters most. We're grateful to Oak Park River Forest High School for hosting this important training and to the many residents who will volunteer their time to help make it a success."

"Over the past several years, OPRF and our public safety partners have worked diligently to develop comprehensive emergency response plans," said Kristen Devitt, Director of Campus Safety for OPRF. "This exercise gives us an invaluable opportunity to put those plans into practice, identify areas for improvement, and strengthen our ability to respond effectively should a real emergency ever occur."

On Aug. 4, participating agencies will conduct a reunification exercise at OPRF and Julian Middle School to practice the coordinated process of safely reuniting students with their families following an emergency.

"While we hope these procedures are never needed, practicing them together is one of the most important ways we prepare to support students and families during an emergency," said Felicia Starks, Chief Safety Officer for District 97. "The reunification exercise gives us the opportunity to strengthen our procedures and work alongside our public safety partners before students and staff return."

The exercise has been intentionally scheduled before the start of the school year, when school is not in session and no athletic practices or student activities are scheduled. 

To ensure public safety and minimize confusion, no live firearms will be used during the exercise. No blank-firing weapons, paintball markers, airsoft guns, or other simulated firearms will be used.

Residents may observe emergency vehicles, simulated patient transport, and emergency personnel operating around the OPRF campus on Monday (Aug. 3) and at Julian Middle School on Tuesday (Aug. 4) as agencies practice their coordinated response.

Temporary Road Closures

To safely conduct the exercise, the following temporary street closures will be in effect:

Monday, Aug. 3 | 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

• Erie Street from the Mall to Scoville Avenue
• Scoville Avenue from Erie Street to Ontario Street
• The Mall from Erie Street to Lake Street

Alleys and adjacent streets will remain open.

Tuesday, Aug. 4 | 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

• The Mall from Erie Street to Lake Street

Community Volunteers Needed

Community members 18 years of age and older are invited to participate as volunteers by serving as role players during the exercise or by assisting with emergency communications. Volunteers will help create realistic scenarios that allow responders to evaluate emergency procedures and coordination.

Anyone interested in volunteering may register by completing the online form:

Volunteer Form: Full-Scale Emergency Exercise

Questions may be directed to Kristen Devitt, Director of Campus Safety, at kdevitt@oprfhs.org.

About Oak Park - The Village of Oak Park, located just nine miles west of downtown Chicago, offers a distinctive urban/suburban lifestyle in a thriving, multi-cultural community. Well-known for progressive values, tree-lined streets and bustling business districts, Oak Park serves as an ideal place to live, work and play. As a longstanding community of choice, the Village benefits from convenient access to local and regional transit, high-quality public schools, and arts and cultural attractions, including Frank Lloyd Wright’s home and studio and his acclaimed Unity Temple, which was recently designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.