​Joint Agency Active Shooter Training Exercise Helps Emergency Responders

From Danbury Fire Department: The Danbury Police and Fire Departments along with Western Connecticut Health Network Emergency Medical Services, Mutual Aid partners, and Danbury Hospital participated in a two part active shooter training exercise. These exercises simulated what would happen in the event that there was an active shooter incident in a local school. Part one, which was a large scale tabletop evolution, was held at the Danbury Police Department on June 20th. This evolution gave the supervisors of the exercise a similar scenario that will be acted out along with the training initiatives for the first responders.

Part two was a full scale exercise at Saint Gregory’s School in Danbury. The scenario presented to first responders was started with a simulated 911 call from the Saint Gregory’s School to the Danbury Dispatch Center reporting an incident were a teacher’s husband arrived, made it past security and started shooting. As emergency vehicles approached the scene, the incident quickly escalated to having multiple victims and a hostage situation. As the Danbury Police Department made entry with training weapons, they worked towards the hostage location, clearing areas for members of the Danbury Fire Department and the WCHN Emergency Medical Services.

These first responders were equipped with all the necessary rapid extrication equipment needed to remove the patients to a triage area. Command staff established a command post where a unified command system with all participating agencies was set up. Danbury Hospital was quickly notified by EMS personnel of a Mass Casualty Incident (MCI). As EMS personnel triaged the wounded and injured, they were transported to the Danbury Hospital Emergency Department in priority. Danbury Hospital clinical trauma teams were at the ready to receive, evaluate and treat incoming patients as well as reunite family with their injured loved ones.

Area volunteers participated in the training exercise roll-playing as parents, staff, students and the shooter with realistic-looking mock wounds and injuries. A post incident analysis is scheduled for a later date to ensure that all participating organizations benefit from the drill in order to enhance performance and be best prepared for future emergencies in our community.

Image via Pixabay