City to conduct an emergency exercise on October 4

Published on September 25, 2025

WINCHESTER, VA – The City of Winchester and Winchester Public Schools will hold a full-scale emergency exercise on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at and around John Kerr Elementary School from approximately 8:00 a.m. to noon.

This simulated scenario will focus on an emergency response to an active threat inside the school. The goal is to assess the readiness of first responders and school staff to facilitate a coordinated and timely response in the event of a future threat. A portion of the exercise will also take place at Daniel Morgan Middle School. This exercise is closed to the public.

Please be aware of these potential public disruptions:

  • Significant presence of emergency vehicles, some with lights and sirens.
  • Increased traffic along:
    • Meadow Branch Avenue near John Kerr Elementary;
    • Amherst Street between Hawthorn Drive and Winchester Medical Center;
    • Cork Street and Purcell Avenue near Daniel Morgan Middle School.
  • Meadow Branch Avenue will be closed from 8:00 a.m. to noon between the entrance to the Meadow Branch Apartments and Merriman’s Lane.

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