Savannah Tech Police Train for Active Shooter Event

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College hosted an active shooter training seminar for its police department staff, as well as area police agencies and emergency responders today at the Savannah campus (5717 White Bluff Road).

“As a component of Savannah Technical College’s Emergency Preparedness Plan, this training allows us to enhance our preparedness in the unlikely violent event,” said Savannah Technical College Police Chief Mark Gerbino. “We appreciate the opportunity to work side by side with our peers in law enforcement to make sure all are properly trained.”

Training included lectures followed by active shooter training exercises in the afternoon.Twenty law enforcement personnel participated to earn eight hours of POST credit for the four hours classroom training in the morning and four hours POST credit for the practical training, and incident debriefing in the afternoon.

Attendees rotated through scenario based training in the afternoon session, during which time they applied the knowledge they gained from the morning exercise. Goals include developing the officers as cohesive teams, better preparing them to face such an event, and promoting positive inter-agency relationships.

STC Emergency Medical Technician students participated in the training as victim role players. “While our EMT students participated as victims in the scenario, it gave them insight into what would happen when they arrive on the scene as medical first responders,” said STC Paramedicine Department Head Walter Webel.

The following agencies will send approximately four to seven officers per agency: Chatham County Sheriff’s Department, Armstrong University, Savannah State University and Memorial Hospital Public Safety Department. Local EMS and fire departments participated, as well as the local Chapter of the Red Cross.

“Every day, Savannah Technical College is responsible for the safety of approximately 5,000 students and 700 faculty and staff members,” said Gerbino. “As leaders we need to be proactive in our planning and implementation of current safety techniques. Today’s training at the Savannah Campus is just one example of the partnerships Savannah Technical College and other law enforcement agencies have formed to provide a safe environment for all of our students and community members.”

The Savannah Technical College Police Department will conduct similar training at each of its campuses, along with training for other organizations in the future.

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#1516 | October 24, 2014
Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu