Pa. — Penn State University Police and Public Safety (UPPS) will conduct a full-scale active attacker preparedness exercise from approximately 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 16, at the Student Health Center on the University Park campus. The exercise is a planned training event and does not represent any threat to the campus or surrounding community
Community members, students and visitors in the area may notice increased law enforcement activity, emergency vehicles, and may hear loud noises throughout the day. These are expected and planned components of the exercise. All community members are asked to avoid the vicinity of the Student Health Center, located on Eisenhower Road, during the exercise window.Normal University operations outside of the exercise area will continue throughout the day
The exercise is designed to test and strengthen the University’s preparedness and response capabilities in coordination with internal campus partners and external law enforcement and emergency response agencies. Exercises of this scale allow Penn State to evaluate its protocols, identify areas for improvement, and reinforce the working relationships that are critical during a real emergency
Associate Vice President and Chief of Police and Public Safety Wesley Sheets emphasized the importance of this type of training for the entire campus community
“Exercises like this one are among the most valuable investments we can make in campus safety,” Sheets said. “They allow our officers and our partners to work through complex scenarios in a realistic environment, identify gaps, and strengthen the coordination that is essential when every second matters.”
Director of Emergency Management Brian Bittner echoed that sentiment, noting the collaborative nature of the exercise and what it means for regional preparedness
“A full-scale exercise of this nature requires coordination across dozens of agencies and departments, and that coordination is itself one of the most important outcomes,” Bittner said. “When our team, University partners, and regional responders train together, we build the shared understanding and trust that makes a real difference in an actual emergency.”
Penn State regularly conducts emergency preparedness exercises and drills in accordance with best practices in campus safety and in support of its all-hazards emergency management program. The University encourages all members of the campus community to familiarize themselves with emergency procedures and reActive Attacker Response Protocol and Run, Hide, Fight response model
Community members with questions about emergency preparedness may visit the UPPS website for additional information or contact University Police and Public Safety at 814-863-1111 or visit police.psu.edu. In the event of an actual emergency, always call 911
Last Updated August 10, 2026
