3/17/14 - Reports of an active shooter in an elementary school and the speedy rescue of victims were the situation area police, fire and EMS agencies dealt with during a four day training exercise. Scenarios increased in complexity and difficulty as the training progressed and required different coordination between all of the area agencies. It took place around and inside of the old Latson Road Elementary School, which will be demolished this spring. The goal was to train and prepare all of the different public safety agencies for such an incident, with a focus on collaboration and the fast, efficient rescue of victims who are still alive in a mass casualty situation. Police are typically trained to ârun to the gunâ and apprehend shooters or âthe bad guyâ but the focus has changed. It was noted that the Columbine tragedy changed a lot of procedures and protocols for not only public safety agencies but school districts as well, which are held accountable for any missing children should such an incident occur. The training was hosted by Howell Public Schools. Livingston County Emergency Management Program Manager Mike Kinaschuk says the scenarios offer teaching moments and the teams were very efficient in apprehending the shooter and contacting rescue among others. The training concluded Saturday. (JM)
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