Piedmont University to Conduct Mass Casualty Drill April 15 in Demorest

Photo: PIedmont University

Piedmont University will conduct a large-scale mass casualty training exercise on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, as part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen emergency preparedness and campus safety.

The comprehensive drill will take place on the university’s Demorest campus and will involve Piedmont University Police Department along with numerous local and regional emergency response agencies.

The exercise will simulate a mass casualty incident, giving emergency personnel and university staff the opportunity to practice responding to a large-scale emergency scenario. Officials say the hands-on training is designed to improve coordination between agencies while helping responders refine emergency response procedures.

The event will also serve as an important training opportunity for students in Piedmont’s School of Nursing and several other academic programs. Students from Communication Sciences and Disorders, Athletic Training, Counseling Services, and Mass Communications will also participate in the exercise.

During the drill, community members may notice an increased presence of emergency vehicles, responders, and simulated casualties on campus. University officials emphasize that these activities are part of a planned training exercise and there is no cause for alarm.

Some brief traffic disruptions may occur on and near campus during the drill.

With assistance from the City of Demorest, College Drive will be closed between Georgia Street, near the tennis courts, and Maine Street for the duration of the exercise. Major roadways are expected to experience only minimal interruptions.

The drill reflects Piedmont University’s commitment to maintaining a safe campus environment while ensuring that both students and emergency personnel are prepared to respond effectively in the event of a real emergency.

Numerous agencies will participate in the exercise alongside the Piedmont University Police Department, including the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency, Georgia State Patrol, Habersham E-911 and Emergency Management Agency, Habersham County Emergency Services, Habersham County Sheriff’s Office, Habersham County Public Information Office, Demorest Police Department, Air Life Georgia 2, Cornelia Fire Department, District 2 Public Health, Northeast Georgia Health System, Stephens County Hospital, Stephens County Emergency Medical Services, and Stephens County Emergency Management Agency.

University officials say the training will help strengthen partnerships between agencies while improving the community’s overall emergency response capabilities.