Catoosa County Has School Safety Shooting Training
We’ve talked about the importance of simulation for training a couple of times and I am still a firm believer in this. Even if the simulation may not be the real thing, there is still nothing like being immersed in something close to the real thing.
The authorities in Catoosa County seem to think along the same lines. They have an ongoing project wherein the Catoosa Country Public Safety Officers are engaging in simulation drills. The Catoosa County News reports:
Led by training officer Shane Fann, two groups of four officers were put together to go into the school and regain control during a school safety training exercise that involved local law enforcement and safety personnel. Running up a side stairwell to the second floor, the officers came across an improvised explosive device (IED). Although the IED was simulated out of a propane tank from a grill, there were realistic explosions and live rounds flying through the air.
Personnel from several county public safety agencies participated the training scenarios Wednesday, July 9, which involved the Catoosa County Sheriff’s department, Hutcheson Medical Center EMS, Angel EMS, Catoosa Fire and Rescue and Ft. Oglethorpe Fire and Rescue. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation bomb squad was on hand to diffuse bombs and help set up the simulated trip mines and IEDs.
What I find really interesting is the use of explosive devices and rounds. They may not have been “real” but I am sure that the explosions that the safety officers heard and saw made for an experience was real as real can be.
The whole drill was not solely about explosive devices, though. The various responses of the participants were measured as well. The report continues:
Officers carried simulated weapons during the training exercise which were modeled exactly after their real weapons with the exception of modified ammunition filled with paint, small rubber BBs and tasers. Their shooters would carry more common weapons to what citizens may own and filled with blanks.
Real-life situations arose, including at least one instance of friendly fire “injury.” At the end of the training scenario Sheriff Phil Summers emerged in a smoke-filled hallway with his squad and was “shot” by friendly fire from a deputy. “I shot the sheriff!” the shooter exclaimed.
This might have been kind of funny but such instances highlight the importance of these drills. People need to be trained as close to real life situations as possible so that if such a crisis does occur – which, of course, we don’t hope for – they will be able to respond as effectively and efficiently as possible.
Don't miss another post -- subscribe by email or RSS today!
Posted on July 11th, 2008 by Deborah J Thomas
Filed under: Administrators, News, People Involved, School Safety Issues, Security, Shootings
NOW THAT’S WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT. Great post on a subject close to my heart. As you know, I wrote several posts on Dynamic Simulation Training and Stress Inoculation.
Hammer
Knew you’d relate to it, Harry!