LA MIRADA, CALIF. — Biola University is hosting a large-scale, simulative active shooter training exercise for personnel from eight local law enforcement units, multiple university campus safety teams and the local fire department on Tuesday, Feb. 28.

WHAT: The listed squadrons below will be conducting an Active Shooter Response drill at Biola University in the city of La Mirada. The event will involve a rapid response by police and deputy personnel, and practical application triage by the Los Angeles County Fire Department. This training will simulate a shooting on Biola’s campus where sheriff, police and fire personnel will respond and take simulated action. The training will incorporate simulated gunfire, flashbangs, fire alarms and smoke machines. There will also be simulated injuries and role players, played by students and employees, on site. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Special Enforcement Bureau (equivalent to a SWAT unit) will respond via helicopter and bearcat armored vehicles. The drill will be closed to the public and the campus is on spring break.

WHO: Personnel from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Tactics and Survival Training Unit, Norwalk Sheriff’s Station Personnel, Biola University Department of Campus Safety, President of the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators, Cerritos College Police Department, the Office of Protective Services Metropolitan State Hospital, Whittier Police Department, Brea Police Department, and Personnel from the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

WHEN: Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023, at 6:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

WHERE: Biola University 13800 Biola Avenue, La Mirada, CA 90639

ACCESS/PARKING: Access on the day of the event will be gate 7 located near 13800 Biola Avenue, La Mirada (see attached map). The media will be positioned in front of Feinberg Hall (Calvary Chapel - building #46) and be allowed to view/film a portion of the training. Talbot Drive (behind Calvary Chapel) will be the media’s parking and staging area. Once on site, members of the media will be guided to the lawn, where they can set up their cameras for the best view of the entire scenario.

News media may arrive at 6:30 a.m. to speak with Biola Campus Safety representatives for information about the training drill. The training drill will start promptly at 9:00 a.m. A press conference will be held at 10:30 a.m. For further information about this event, contact the Sheriff's Information Bureau at (213) 229-1850.

ON SIGHT MEDIA CONTACT: Sarah Dougher, media relations coordinator, sarah.m.dougher@biola.edu, (310) 753-1193. Please call or email Sarah if you plan on attending the event or if you have any questions. 

Safety Message: This training will involve “Simunitions rounds.” These are paint projectiles fired from modified pistols that could cause injury. Members of the media are highly encouraged to wear long sleeves, thick clothing and eye protection.