La. Fire Department Trains Locals in Active Shooter Response

The Houma Courier, La.

July 26—"What would you do if someone opens fire at your workplace?" Houma Fire Chief Keith Ward asked.

Think about that question. Do you have an answer in your mind?

Most of us don't. After all, the premise is so horrific that we don't even want to think about it. Unfortunately, though, the times that we live in dictate that we confront some of these issues, and it's much better to do it before a tragedy than afterward.

That is the thinking behind a new, cooperative program that brings active-shooter training into schools and other workplaces to get people acquainted with some of the problems and issues that could arise during such an incident.

The Active Shooter Response Training went into effect last fall and offers local people a chance to go through thought exercises designed to better prepare our community institutions in case they ever confront an active shooter.

This isn't a morbid exercise. Quite the opposite, in fact. It is a sensible approach to what has become an all-too-common occurrence.

"The best scenario is that this kind of thing never happens," said Mark Stevenson, training officer for the Houma Fire Department. "But it is better to have a plan and not need it than to need it and not have it."

The training is the result of cooperation and communication among law enforcement, fire, EMT and homeland security officials who have the common goal of preventing these attacks from taking place and, if they do occur, to limit the damage the attacker can inflict.

As Stevenson said, the ultimate outcome is that no one will ever need this training. And that is the hope. But we see time and again that schools and businesses can become deadly places in a matter of seconds if an attacker appears. It is important for us to think ahead of time about some of the actions we can take to protect ourselves, our coworkers and any students or others who might be present.

The program is a good example of what can be done when dedicated professionals attack head-on an issue most of us would rather pretend doesn't exist. Let us all hope it is never needed, but the people who take part know they are a bit better prepared because of it.

If you are interested in learning more about the program, contact Walker at @tpcg.org.