VCU Police and City of Richmond to Conduct Hazardous Materials Response Drill at VCU on July 25 – VCU News

The exercise will simulate a hazardous materials spill in front of the University Student Commons (907 Floyd Ave.). The training will involve nearly 150 participants and will provide public health and safety teams and first responders with the opportunity to practice coordinated emergency response on the VCU campus.

John Venuti, VCU’s police chief and assistant vice president for public safety, and Michael Cimis, VCU’s assistant vice president for safety and risk management, will be available to speak with reporters before the exercise begins at 8:30 a.m. During the exercise, reporters are welcome to observe the training.

Media parking is available in the 900 block of West Main Street in front of the VCU sign.

Police will use various communication tools in advance of the drill, including mass emails and social media messages to increase awareness among the university community, neighborhood organizations and area businesses. On the day of the drill, police will send text messages to more than 60,000 VCU Alert subscribers.

The University Student Commons and Grace E. Harris Hall Auditorium, as well as the walkway between these facilities, will be closed to the public during the training. The area will be clearly marked with signs and security personnel will be on site to answer questions and direct pedestrian traffic.

On July 25, there will be street closures between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., including: 1) North Linden Street between Park and Floyd Avenue; 2) Floyd Avenue between North Harrison and North Cherry Street; and 3) North Cherry Street between Floyd Avenue and West Main Street. Additionally, parking will not be permitted on West Main Street between Cherry Street and Floyd Avenue during the exercise.