Area first responders train for active assailant in former school
JONESBOROUGH, Tenn. (WJHL) — Emergency response departments from around the region received active assailant training, meant to streamline communication between groups during an event.
Representatives from law enforcement, fire, and EMS departments in the area trained in the old Jonesborough Middle School through Active Attack Integrated Response training. First responders learned how to respond if tragedy strikes in Northeast Tennessee.
“With more things that are happening out in the world and just trying to make sure that every situation, we’re prepared for whatever could happen,” said Washington County/Johnson City EMS division chief of training Lindsey Moore. “And making sure that we’re ready for when that day comes as much as possible.”
The training works off past scenarios to train first responders to react and work together. For some, this training is an opportunity to build off pre-existing techniques.
“We’ve got to have more hands-on training with the medical part,” said Major Eric Dougherty with the Johnson City Police Department. “It does tie back into the alert system, but it’s a little more in-depth in this.”
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Active Attack Integrated Response training focuses on improving communication between emergency teams to refine response times.
“I think the importance of teamwork becomes even more present when you are in an environment like this,” said Johnson City Fire Department’s assistant chief of administration, Jason Powell. “And you can see how valuable it is for us to all be able to speak the same language and understand the same objectives.”
“I think [emergency response teams have] established that we’ve already had a really good relationship, so just trying to integrate all that without communication and how we’re going to work together,” said Moore.
After the training, the representatives will bring their knowledge back to their departments. Johnson City emergency response teams plan to train together in a similar setting.
Departments told News Channel 11 they’re working with area schools, informing them of their training, and communicating on how to best streamline the response process.
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