In the wake of the worst mass shooting in American history, local emergency personnel are taking precaution and increasing their training efforts, allowing them to be better prepared for a similar situation.
The tragedy in Orlando over the weekend has prompted Sampson Community College to provide training to the Sampson County Emergency Medical Services personnel in the area of active shooter preparedness.
According to Erick Herring, operations chief with the Sampson County Emergency Services, the active shooter training prepares the EMS personnel to respond, along with law enforcement, and provide critical and rapid medical care to victims of mass shootings and other tactically driven mass casualty incidents.
The training allows EMS personnel to engage and learn the rapid deployment techniques and tactical operations that are used by law enforcement personnel once the threat has been removed or isolated.
According to Dan Grubb, public relations specialist with SCC, the next level of tactical training for the EMS personnel will be to prepare them to interface with the initial entry teams creating a seamless approach to incident management which involves removing the threat while incorporating the immediate care and evacuation of victims and providing medical support to the tactical team.
“Recent events like the mass shooting in Orlando, Fla. this past weekend remind everyone how important it is to be prepared for anything,” Grubb said. “The world we live in has changed, and what once only happened in faraway places, now happens right here in Sampson County
Sampson Community College president, Dr. Paul Hutchins, agrees with the need for such classes and training, as he doesn’t question if something like the mass shootings can happen again, but when they will happen.
“Unfortunately, it is a matter of when, not if,” Hutchins said. “This has been a driving force in the levels of training offered to law enforcement, Emergency Medical Services, school personnel and first responders.”
According to Grubb, the mission of the college is to provide the training necessary to ensure that personnel are prepared and ready when the incident occurs, to stay alert, stay alive, and be vigilant.