Shooter drill prepares current and future first responders

Muskegon – “It was scarier than I anticipated,” shared Katarina Christiansen (Muskegon), after participating in the active shooter exercise that took place at Muskegon Community College (MCC) Friday, October 14, 2016.

Over 50 Criminal Justice students from the Muskegon Area Career Tech Center (MACTC) and many MCC students assisted members of the Muskegon Police and Fire Departments; Muskegon County Citizens Corps; Muskegon County Sheriff; Police Departments of Norton Shores, Whitehall,  North Muskegon and Roosevelt Park; Muskegon County Emergency Services; Michigan State Police; Pro Med and the Red Cross in the active shooter incident training.

Students witnessed first-hand the roles of various first-responders in a disaster situation. “Even though it was scary, I had a lot of fun,” shared Criminal Justice student Madison Cirner (Mona Shores). “It taught me how important communication is in an emergency.” Also working alongside the MACTC students was former Criminal Justice student Mason Deibel (Ravenna). Deibel is now studying Criminal Justice at MCC.

A triage was set up in the foyer of the MCC Stevenson Center. There, Red Cross members and emergency personnel assisted victims of the mock shooting. Therapy dogs were even on hand to help sooth nervous victims and witnesses as Pro Med staff tended to the injured. Those who safely evacuated the building were instructed to gather at the far end of the parking lot at the Muskegon County Emergency Services Mobile Command Post. Police met with witnesses at the Command Post. Each witness was patted down to check for weapons or explosives and questioned about the shooters and what they saw inside.

“This was an awesome opportunity for our students to witness the behind-the-scenes activity of real-life response to a disaster,” added MACTC Criminal Justice Parapro, Mark Lewis.

This event was sponsored by the Muskegon Police Department and organized by the Muskegon County Emergency Management Team. Training drills are conducted annually in various locations throughout Muskegon County to insure emergency response services are properly prepared in the case of an actual emergency.

 

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