LOWELL — Interim Superintendent Barry Golner is pleased to share that the Lowell Police Department successfully completed an active shooter training drill involving multiple community and public safety partners.
Lowell Police partnered with the Lowell Fire Department, the Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council, PRIDEStar EMS, and Lowell Public Schools to complete active shooter training on Tuesday Aug. 23.
Training was conducted in two settings: a drill scenario held at Shaughnessy Elementary School, and a tabletop discussion scenario held at Butler Middle School. Sudbury Police Chief Scott Nix, an assistant control chief with NEMLEC, was in attendance to help run the training program.
During the tabletop discussion, Lowell Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Joel Boyd and other school representatives collaborated with Lowell Police to discuss how their departments would work together to respond in an active shooter situation. This includes how and where parents and children would be reunited, what information will need to be shared with the public, and how school and public safety departments will work together in a high-stakes situation.
Public safety personnel led the drill at the Shaughnessy Elementary School, where they experienced scenarios to prepare them for responses, beginning with a mock 911 call. Lowell Police practiced neutralizing a threat, establishing a warm zone so medical personnel could treat victims on scene, and working with other organizations such as NEMLEC and SWAT Teams. PRIDEStar EMS and Lowell Fire also practiced recovery efforts and tending to victims amid an active scene.
Training focused on learning from mistakes and improving skills needed to work collaboratively in an emergency situation. Collaborating with school principals and Superintendent Boyd allowed Lowell first responders to understand the challenges they may face being inside the school.
A question-and-answer section followed. Chief Nix emphasized the need for a unified command center in a specific location, where organizational leaders would collaborate to execute their crisis management plan.
“We run these drills to continuously learn, so we are always ready in a crisis. These are the skills we need but hope we never use,” said Lowell Lt. James Fay. “I would like to thank everyone who collaborated with us during this training. It was eye-opening to see the numerous factors that go into a crisis management plan when an incident happens. I believe everyone was able to obtain new perspectives.”
“I am honored to be able to work with our public safety and community partners who are committed to establishing a crisis management plan for our city,” said Interim Superintendent Golner. “We will continue to work together to uphold best practices by continuously training and practicing these drills.”
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