Community advised of heavy emergency vehicle presence, simulated gunfire, and localized traffic adjustments; summer youth programs will remain active and fully segregated from the training area.
Moorhead Public Schools, in partnership with Moorhead and Fargo first responders, will conduct a joint Active Shooter/Hostile Event Response (ASHER) training exercise on Wednesday, June 24, 2026. The comprehensive exercise will take place in one academic wing of Moorhead High School from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
The scheduled exercise is designed to test and refine regional interagency coordination, emergency communication, and tactical response capabilities. Because several summer youth camps and athletic programs will be active on the campus that day, school administration and public safety officials are working closely to ensure total separation between student activities and the training environment.
What the Community Should Expect
Residents, drivers, and campus visitors should expect the following on June 24:
Heavy Emergency Presence: A significant number of police, fire, and EMS vehicles from Moorhead and Fargo will be on-site, alongside an emergency mobile command post.
Simulated Gunfire (Blanks): The exercise will involve the use of blank ammunition inside the high school’s Forest Academic Wing. While the building will be segmented, the sound of small arms gunfire may be audible from outside and in adjacent campus areas.
Simulated Casualty Drills: First responders will practice casualty collection and triage drills. Passersby may see training actors or mannequins being moved from the facility.
Traffic and Parking Adjustments: The West and South parking lots will be closed to the public. Additionally, North Road (west of the turnaround) will be closed for the duration of the exercise.
Prioritizing Student and Camper Safety
School officials emphasize that the safety and peace of mind of students enrolled in summer programs is the top priority.
The training will be strictly confined to all three floors of the high school's Forest Wing. First- and second-floor internal accordion doors will be locked and secured to completely isolate the training zone from areas where student programs are operating. Coaches, counselors, and district staff have been thoroughly briefed to guide students, manage drop-offs, and maintain a normal, reassuring environment for participants, including the youngest elementary-aged campers.
"Exercises like this are vital to ensuring our local emergency teams are seamlessly aligned and prepared to protect our community," said Steve Moore, Executive Director of Operations and Emergency Management. "We are entirely committed to conducting this necessary training with the highest degree of safety, minimal disruption to our summer programs, and complete transparency for our neighbors."
Information for Parents and Neighbors
Parents dropping off or picking up children for summer activities are advised to follow all directional signage and look for designated staff members directing traffic away from the training zone.
The public is reminded that this is a controlled, planned training exercise. There is no danger to the community, and emergency services for the cities of Moorhead and Fargo will not be affected or delayed.