Good morning, Hopkinton! Welcome to the daily update we call Hopkinton Today — a quick recap of yesterday’s news, highlights of what’s on tap, and a photo of the day.

Joint exercises intended to identify challenges, coordinate emergency responses

Hopkinton Fire personnel debrief after a training scenario during an interagency exercise at Hopkinton High School on Aug. 30. PHOTO/HOPKINTON POLICE DEPARTMENT

According to Hopkinton Police Lt. Aaron O’Neil, there were important lessons learned by both the HPD and the Hopkinton Fire Department during joint training on Aug. 29.

“We learned that each department has its own specific role, but by working together, we can significantly improve our response time and the care provided to those in need,” he stated in an email.

The HFD and HPD conducted joint training exercises at Hopkinton High School on Aug. 29 to practice “responding to critical incidents and operating as a unified team,” according to a post on the HPD’s blog. Initially, the departments planned on running through six emergency scenarios intended to test their coordination, communication and response procedures. Included in those scenarios was active shooter training.

O’Neil stated that time constraints limited the HFD and HPD to completing three of the six scenarios and that a “major portion” of the active shooter drill focused on the medical response. “This involved treating patients as effectively as possible inside the facility and determining the best methods for evacuating them to a medical facility,” he noted.

Role players took part in each exercise, and fire and police crews would have to respond to them as the scenarios progressed. O’Neil explained the roles were acted out by fire and police personnel. No outside individuals or non-agency volunteers were involved, he stated.

The joint exercise was the first time Hopkinton Police and Fire have partnered with Hopkinton Public Schools to conduct interagency training. O’Neil remarked it was the first time in his 28-year tenure that this sort of exercise had been carried out. “Everyone felt there was a definite need for it, and the departments were eager to work openly with one another,” he stated.

Areas of concern for the training that O’Neil highlighted included communication during large-scale incidents and learning new equipment. He revealed that some firefighters and officers were asked to wear or use equipment they did not use normally. “This allowed participants to see the challenges associated with different gear and learn how to work through those limitations,” he reported.

O’Neill added that by identifying where and when gaps occur during interagency emergency responses, crews can learn where to make improvements and better coordinate their efforts.

“Raising awareness of these weaknesses will allow us to refine our procedures and perform at a higher level as we continue to participate in these exercises,” he stated.

— NICK SCHOFIELD

Latest News

Outgoing Hopkinton Area Land Trust president Morrie Gasser was airlifted from a New Hampshire trail Monday after falling and sustaining injuries to his head and neck.

Former Hopkinton resident and basketball standout Barrett Hanlon won his first professional boxing match on Aug. 29 during Boston Harbor Fight Night 2.

Parks & Recreation Department director Jon Lewitus offered reflections on his time in the role as he wraps up his tenure with the town this week.

Frances Harris, 92, a longtime area resident, passed away Sept. 9.

Robert White, 70, died Sept. 3.

Jacqueline Moore, 79, a former Hopkinton resident, passed away July 13.

Town meetings tonight include the Board of Appeals (7) and Charter Review Committee (7).

Photo of the Day

Project Just Because president Cherylann Lambert Walsh (center) delivers remarks alongside, from left, Select Board chair Shahidul Mannan, state Rep. James Arena-DeRosa, Greater Boston Food Bank vice president of external affairs Kathryn Alexander and James Russo, district director for Massachusetts Senate President Karen Spilka, in front of the pantry’s new delivery truck during a media event Tuesday. Greater Boston Food Bank recently provided PJB a $20,000 grant that helped fund the truck’s purchase. PJB received citations from both the Massachusetts Senate and House of Representatives as part of the event.

PHOTO/NICK SCHOFIELD