Army Reserve Soldiers Conduct Active Shooter Training with Local First Responders

Strategic Insights -

Active shooter training exercises are being conducted with local law enforcement and first responders at Army Reserve Centers to improve response times and save lives. On April 8, personnel from the U.S. Army Reserve, Navy, Marines, police, and fire departments participated in a joint training exercise at the Army Reserve Center in Bell, California. The training aimed to identify gaps in the facility's emergency action plan by simulating an active shooter scenario and understanding how different roles interact with local emergency responders.

Key Takeaways:

  • The training exercise was designed by Master Sgt. Ryan Taylor, the Security Manager, and Maj. Anjum Haydar, the Installation Emergency Manager, both from the 380th Hospital Center, to improve the emergency action plan at the Army Reserve Center.
  • The training simulated an active shooter scenario, where one soldier, armed with a simulated rifle and pistol, moved throughout the area, and other soldiers who did not follow proper Active Shooter Attack Prevention and Preparedness (ASAPP) protocols were identified as casualties by the trainers.
  • The exercise validated the facility's emergency action plan and highlighted areas that need improvement, including inadequate measures that were previously in place.
  • The training also emphasized the need to incorporate this type of realistic training into every drill to ensure the Army Reserve can adequately respond to any situation that arises.
  • The lessons learned from this exercise will help refine the emergency action plan and inform future training events at the Army Reserve Center.

Statistics:

  • The training exercise began around 8 a.m. and consisted of two scenarios.
  • 10 minutes into the scenario, the police neutralized the shooter, and the commander ordered medics to treat and transport the casualties to a designated medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) location.
  • 30 minutes later, the casualties were loaded onto a UH-60 helicopter for transport, completing the scenario.
  • 49 soldiers participated in the training exercise, including personnel from the U.S. Army Reserve, Navy, Marines, police, and fire departments.

Sources:

  • https://www.usar.army.mil/News/News-Display/Article/4259892/army-reserve-soldiers-conduct-active-shooter-training-with-local-first-responde/