Several local agencies recently conducted special training at Central Lafourche High School to become better prepared in the event of an active shooter.
The training course, "Active Attack Integrated Response," was created to allow police, firefighters and medical service personnel to work together during a simulated active shooter event, the Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office said.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre said it is crucial for agencies to work seamlessly together during an active shooter incident because time is of the essence.
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"In order to save lives in such incidents, you must have cooperation among agencies," Webre said. "It's absolutely critical that our local law enforcement agencies, EMS and fire departments train together to maximize preservation of life. This training demonstrates the evolution of our commitment to school safety. We continue to ensure our school resource officers, D.A.R.E. officers and all deputies are prepared to respond when a situation arises."
Members from the Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office, Terrebonne Parish Sheriff's Office, Houma Police Department, Lockport Police Department, Port Fourchon Harbor Police, Grand Isle Police Department, Gulfport, Miss., Police Department, Acadian Ambulance, U.S. Coast Guard and firefighters from Lafourche Parish Fire District 3, Chackbay Volunteer Fire Department and Bayou Blue Fire Department took part in the training.
The Texas State University-based Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training Center hosted the two-day training. The 16-hour course was designed to improve communication among law enforcement, dispatchers, fire crews and emergency medical personnel during active shooting incidents, authorities said.
Participants learned tactical emergency casualty care skills that increase a shooting victim's chances of survival, the Sheriff's Office said. The course provides a template for first responders on how to collaborate during an active shooting attack.
Houma Police Chief Dana Coleman said partnerships between law enforcement agencies are crucial during active shooting incidents.
"No matter where an event unfolds, I feel comfortable our surrounding law enforcement agencies are able to put resources together, to include personnel, to handle them," Coleman said.
When it comes to chaotic scenarios such as an active shooting, it's important for agencies to work together to be better prepared to handle them, said Kully Griffin, Lafourche Parish Fire District 3 fire chief.
"This training helped bring to focus multiple aspects of an active shooter scenario, and our members who participated are excited to share their knowledge with everyone else," Griffin said.
Acadian Ambulance Operations Supervisor Chad Davis said every emergency response agency should attend such training.
"EMS, fire departments and LPSO all working as one unit to respond to an active shooter event will save lives," Davis said.
Lafourche deputies who have completed the Peace Officer Standards and Training academy also took part in active shooter training earlier this month, the Sheriff's Office said.
Lafourche sheriff's Lt. John Champagne, who helped coordinate the training sessions, said he hopes the training is something first responders will never have to use.
"Every time there is another mass shooting, we learn more about law enforcement's response – what worked and what didn't," Champagne said. "Unfortunately, the shooters learn and evolve as well. We have to do our best to stay one step ahead at all times, and these training courses are a major step forward in minimizing casualties if such an event ever occurs. It's the type of training we hope we never need."
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