UPDATE 9/13/24 6:30 p.m.
SAULT STE. MARIE — Multiple local, state, tribal, federal and Canadian agencies were at the Soo Locks to run an active shooter drill.
The scenario involved a shooter on a Famous Soo Locks Boat Tour ferry in the smaller MacArthur Lock. Sixteen agencies, nearly 200 people, practiced handling numerous casualties and fatalities.
The main communication hub for the event was at the Cisler Center at Lake Superior State University. The exercise ended mid-afternoon, and now the agencies will be evaluated.
“I think that is the type of value in these kind of training exercises. You get to really validate the plans that we have in place and actually be sitting next to the people that you would be involved with and say, ‘OK, does this make sense?’” said Lt. Joseph Snyder, USCG Sector Northern Great Lakes.
The Soo Locks Canal Park and Visitors Center were closed Thursday and Friday for the exercise. The larger Poe Lock remained open.
9/9/24 7:50 p.m.
Soo Lock Closure
SAULT STE. MARIE — A popular park in Sault Ste. Marie will be closed later this week for a training exercise.
The Soo Locks Canal Park and Visitors Center will be closed to the public all day Thursday, Sept. 12 and until 4 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 13.
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The exercise includes local, state, tribal, federal and Soo Canada agencies and will focus on safeguarding the vital infrastructure around the Soo Locks.
This year’s training will be in the smaller MacArthur Lock. Agencies will handle a scenario with an active assailant on a Famous Soo Locks Boat Tour vessel full of passengers. The Poe Lock will remain open for all vessel traffic during the exercise.
Lt. Joseph D. Snyder, USCG Sector Northern Great Lakes, said this is a “full-scale” exercise. “[It’s] an exercise where you are actually going out with people in the field,” he explained, and involves “folks serving roles as actors to kind of simulate certain events.”
There are other places in the Soo to watch the freighters free of charge, including Brady Park, Aune Osborn Park and Rotary Park.