Training is a very important task for any law enforcement agency and making sure their people are trained in the latest real world situations.
This is exactly the training that the Barton County Sheriff’s Office along with the Great Bend Police Department, Ellinwood Police Department and Barton Community College Campus security got on Thursday.
These local law enforcement agencies trained in an active shooter scenario and how to clear large buildings at BCC.
“This training is a big deal for us,” Lead Officer of Campus Security Lucas Stoelting said. “Not only do we get this training is also allows us to see how the BCSO operates and it gives us a chance to build a working relationship with them,”
The training took place at the dorms and then the operation moved on to the Fine Arts Building where two different teams learned how to seek out the shooter and clear a large structure.
“The Fine Arts Building is big and it is a maze, it should provide good training for the teams,” Stoelting said.
The training between the different departments is a way for the local law enforcements officers to learn to work together in a real world scenario.

Active Shooter
According to Homeland Security, an active shooter is an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and other populated area. In most cases, active shooters use firearms and there is no pattern or method to their selection of victims. Active shooter situations are unpredictable and evolve quickly.

What you can do in this situation
Quickly determine the most reasonable way to protect your own life. Remember that customers and clients are likely to follow the lead of employees and managers during an active shooter situation.

1. RUN
If there is an accessible escape path, attempt to evacuate the premises. Be sure to:
• Have an escape route and plan in mind.
• Evacuate regardless of whether others agree to follow.
• Leave your belongings behind.
• Help others escape, if possible.
• Prevent individuals from entering an area where the active shooter may be
• Keep your hands visible.
• Follow the instructions of any police officers.
• Do not attempt to move wounded people.
• Call 911 when you are safe.

2. HIDE
If evacuation is not possible, find a place to hide where the active shooter is less likely to find you.
Your hiding place should:
• Be out of the active shooter’s view.
• Provide protection if shots are fired in your direction (i.e., an office with a closed and locked door)
• Not trap you or restrict your options for movement.
To prevent an active shooter from entering your hiding place:
• Lock the door.
• Blockade the door with heavy furniture.
If the active shooter is nearby:
• Lock the door.
• Silence your cell phone and/or pager.
• Turn off any source of noise (i.e., radios, televisions)
• Hide behind large items (i.e., cabinets, desks)
• Remain quiet.
If evacuation and hiding out are not possible:
• Remain calm.
• Dial 911, if possible, to alert police to the active shooter’s location.
• If you cannot speak, leave the line open and allow the dispatcher to listen.

3. FIGHT
As a last resort, and only when your life is in imminent danger, attempt to disrupt and/or incapacitate the active shooter by:
• Acting as aggressively as possible against him/her.
• Throwing items and improvising weapons.
• Yelling.
• Committing to your actions.