ADAMS TWP — The Mars School Board president said the Oct. 14 in-service day for employees was uncomfortable and eye-opening, but necessary.

Middlesex Township police officer Conrad Pfeifer organized an event for that day that mimicked a shooting or a bomb situation in one of the school buildings like the tragic ones that have occurred over the past several years in American schools from Columbine High School in Colorado to Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.

Board President Dayle Ferguson said at Monday night’s meeting that the sights and sounds during that dramatic in-service program were as loud and shocking as that of an actual shooting or bombing situation.

Teachers, staff, administrators, and department heads learned their roles in such an instance through lessons led by emergency response professionals, a walk-through of a shooting incident response with police, a roundtable forum, and a question-and-answer session.

“Everybody learned something,” Ferguson said. “There were some tears and some very wide eyes, but everyone gave it their full attention.”

Ferguson said in addition to Middlesex police, Adams, Penn and Cranberry townships, Mars, and Butler County Community College police participated in the sobering event.

She said the Adams Area, Middlesex and Callery volunteer fire companies, a medical helicopter, and Quality EMS and Saxonburg ambulances also took part as did emergency responders from northern Allegheny County.

“It’s necessary, and I appreciate everyone’s involvement and participation in what is unfortunately part of our reality,” Ferguson said.

She also praised Pfeifer for coordinating all the emergency responders and experts.

Morning and afternoon sessions were held, one for elementary and one for secondary staff.

“His leadership was evident,” Ferguson said of Pfeifer. “That man went all day long, and took his responsibilities very, very seriously.”

Ferguson said the district will continue that training and will expand on the program later.