MEAD, Wash. — Police, fire and emergency medical services from across Spokane County conducted active shooter response training at Crossover Church in Mead.
The training brought together agencies that only do this type of exercise once or twice per year. The focus was on how multiple departments should respond to get help to victims as fast as possible.
Police cars, ambulances and fire engines from nearly every agency across Spokane County participated in the morning session. Each organization practiced their role during a mass casualty event.
“Every time we do a drill or training, just getting that face-to-face, getting to know each other and working good together,” said Chris Jones, a firefighter-paramedic with Fire District 9. “With these big incidents, we need to operate as one big machine on one sheet of music so we can provide the best service for the public.”
The training used actors with fake bullet wounds and cuts. These mock victims received treatment and were transported by ambulance or helicopter.
Organizers wanted to focus on getting law enforcement into buildings quickly while getting medics to victims for immediate care.
“Not only just taking what happens here locally, but we’re looking at what’s trending nationally,” Jones said. “We’re trying to be tip of the spear of the fastest to get our law enforcement in the door, fastest to get medics to touching patients and quickly getting them on an ambulance and getting to them to the hospital which is ultimately where they need to get to.”
A video production company recorded the training so first responders can review their performance later. Some parts of the drill were restarted to make sure all agencies work well together.
The training helps prepare Spokane County emergency services for situations where every second matters.
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