In a bid to make sure Ripon schools are as a safe as can be, We Are Ripon — a community-based effort bringing various agencies together — is planning an operating-based exercise on Jan. 6.

It will involve emergency scenarios centered around as an active school shooter on a school campus.

The exercise will take place from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Jan. 6 at Ripon High.

Participating agencies include Ripon Police, Ripon Fire, Ripon Unified School District, Ripon Christian Schools, Manteca Police and Fire, Lathrop Manteca Fire, French Camp Fire, Stockton Police and Fire, Woodbridge Fire, Montezuma Fire, Escalon Police and Fire, San Joaquin Sheriff, Ripon Ambulance, Manteca Ambulance, and American Medical Response.

At the same time, the exercise is taking, all 400 Ripon Unified School District staff will be able to take part in various workshops being offered next door to Ripon High at the Ripon Elementary campus,

Those workshops include:

*Non-certified first aid.

*Cardio pulmonary resuscitation classes.

*Crisis communication.

*Best practices for classroom lockdowns.

*Human trafficking.

*Drug crisis and interventions.

*Behavioral threat assessments.

*Helping students with special needs during an emergency.

The overall cost of the effort is $20,500.

Donations brought in $11,250.

Robert Rickman got his colleagues on the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors to cover the balance of $9,250.

“I am pleased to be in a position to continue supporting local organizations that serve their communities in a number a various ways,” Rickman, who represents the Fifth District, said.

“We have experienced numerous natural and unnatural emergency events that reinforce the importance of preparedness and the training necessary to ensure we all can respond appropriately when we are confronted with an emergency situation.”

The $20,500 budget includes $7,500 for workshop instructors, $5,400 for a medical moulage artist (professional wound simulation makeup artist, $2,000 for lunch for 80 plus first responders, $4,000 for breakfast for 450 participants, $1,200 for videographer for public information and nonpublic training purpose films, and $4,000 for miscellaneous costs.

Ripon Unified is covering overtime pay for staff and providing administrative support.

Each agency is covering their own costs as well as associated overtime.

We Are Ripon’s mission is to provide resources for Ripon residents to be informed and empowered to positively impact the community and connect with fellow residents.

As such, the organization believes collaboration and relationships built with regional agencies will benefit youth and the community for many years.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com