Fairlawn to Host Mass Casualty Drill in Wake of Boston Bombing

The bombings at the Boston Marathon have prompted Fairlawn to consider how it would handle a similar situation here.

The upshot: A mass casualty drill at Summit Mall.

Mayor William Roth said the city has been talking with the Simon Property Group about staging a mock disaster at the mall to give police and firefighters some training in handling a bombing, active shooter or other critical situation.

"We're in the process of coordinating it," Roth said.

He expects it to happen in October or November, most likely early on a Sunday morning.

Bath and Copley safety departments will be invited to attend.

"In reality, as a first response, our departments would be there first," Roth said.

The mayor said the city had a similar drill in the late 1990s, but wants to refresh the training.

After schools, he said malls are among the "soft targets" chosen by mass murderers.