August 31, 2021

Emergency crews from Traill and Steele counties will participate in a training exercise Monday, Sept. 13 from 5 to 9 p.m. at Mayville State University.

The exercise, which will simulate a full-scale emergency situation involving hazardous materials, will include first responders, emergency crews, and other stakeholders, such as the sheriff’s departments from Traill and Steele counties; fire departments from Mayville, Portland, Hillsboro, Hatton, Galesburg, Buxton, Reynolds, Grandin, Finley, Sharon, and Hope; Mayville State University; and West Traill Ambulance and Sanford Hillsboro Ambulance.

"This exercise is intended to give our local responders experience in dealing with a situation they may not be used to seeing, as well as educating crews from various jurisdictions on how to more seamlessly work together in a larger-scale situation, should one arise," said Traill County Sheriff Steve Hunt. “This will allow our responders to better to serve the needs of our communities in the future.”

Hunt noted that residents in the area, especially those in the vicinity immediately surrounding Mayville State University, likely will hear sirens and see emergency vehicles responding during the incident but shouldn’t be alarmed.

He also urged citizens to keep their distance from the university during the exercise.

"Although this is just an exercise, we want to make this feel as real as possible for our emergency crews to ensure they get the most out of this training,” Hunt said. "And, just as we'd ask the public to maintain a safe distance during a real emergency situation, we request the same for this exercise.

“We need to ensure our crews have the space they need to actively respond during the exercise, as well as space for vehicles and other equipment,” Hunt continued. “This is for the safety of both the public and our emergency crews.

Details for Mayville State faculty, staff, and students ...

  • The parking lot west of the Campus Center will be closed all day on Monday, Sept. 13.
  • Classes should not meet on campus between 5 and 9 p.m.
  • Employees should leave campus for the day by 5 p.m.
  • Employees who normally work evening hours should talk with their supervisors about work arrangements on Sept. 13.
  • The Byrnes-Quanbeck Library, Old Main, the Education Building, the Science Building, and the Classroom Building will close at 5 p.m.
  • The Wellness Center will be closed from 5 to 9 p.m.
  • There is a JV football game at Jerome Berg Field beginning at 6 p.m. Athletes and coaches must use the main front entrance on the east side of the Lewy Lee Fieldhouse to access locker rooms.
  • If athletic teams have practices scheduled in the Lewy Lee Fieldhouse at 5 p.m. or later or need access to locker rooms, they must use the main front entrance on the east side of the fieldhouse to access the facility.
  • Dining Services will serve the evening meal between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. Students will need to use the east entrance of the Campus Center to enter the building.
  • Students may be in the residence halls, but should not leave the buildings between 5 and 9 p.m., except to eat at Dining Services between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.