Breaking News: Livingston Elementary in Cody Evacuated
Written by Andrew-Rossi on November 2, 2021
As a precautionary measure, students and staff at Livingston Elementary School evacuated to Cody High School Tuesday morning due to a nearby gas leak.
Around 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday. Nov. 2, Livingston Elementary School – at 2001 12th in Cody – was evacuated. Students and staff left the building and followed the school’s Emergency Evacuation Plan, getting taken to Cody High School by bus.
A district emergency protocol was announced on the Livingston Elementary School Facebook page.
“Livingston School: DISTRICT EMERGENCY PROTOCOL
Families: Due to a gas leak in the area, we have evacuated staff and students to the Wynona Thompson Auditorium. This is our shelter in place, please feel free to drop off your students at this time. We will take attendance down there, waiting to be cleared from our FIRE DEPT. Our priority is to make sure the students are safe. We will follow up as soon as know it is all clear.
Thank you!”
The gas leak was not within the school or its grounds – Livingston Elementary Principal Allison Lewis confirms the leak occurred at a private residence down the street. Due to its proximity to the school and the possibility of the leak occurring along the same gas lines, the decision was made to evacuate the school.
Students were first evacuated to the south playground at Livingston, then bussed to the Wynona Thompson Auditorium at Cody High School.
Officers from the Cody Police Department were on the scene coordinating the evacuation, along with emergency personnel from Park County Fire District #2, the City of Cody, and Black Hills Energy.
Sometime after 9:00 a.m., the situation near Livingston Elementary School had been safely resolved.
Another post on the Livingston Elementary School Facebook page gave the “all clear” for students to their normal school day. Students returned and classes were back in session by 9:30 a.m.
School evacuations are a precautionary and well-planned measure for the safety of students and staff in dangerous situations like this.
“Shelter in place” locations are predetermined based on each school’s Emergency Evacuation Plan, developed by Park County District #6. When an evacuation is needed, students and staff head to these emergency locations – like Wynona Thompson Auditorium at Cody High School.
“Student safety is our top priority,” says Principal Lewis. “I can report that all students and staff at Livingston Elementary are safe after (Tuesday morning’s evacuation,) and we are able to resume classes as normal”
