SO gives ‘active shooter’ presentation

For several years the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office Regional Training Academy has worked to provide active shooter courses to all law enforcement agencies in the parish.
“By training together, we can respond together efficiently and effectively,” Sheriff Mark Hebert said. “Thanks to the St. Mary Parish School Board, we are now working to extend that training relationship to school personnel.”
The sheriff’s office hosted an active shooter training presentation and demonstration for St. Mary Parish School administrators at B.E. Boudreaux Middle School Thursday.
Administrators attended a presentation exploring active shooter incidents that have occurred around the world over the years. Academy Director Capt. Brian Charpentier explained that mental preparation for an active shooter event is just as important as participating in practice drills.
Following the presentation, sheriff’s personnel took over the halls of B.E. Boudreaux giving school administrators a live demonstration of how law enforcement responds to an active shooter event. The training scenario included simulated gunfire, wounded teachers and rescue operations.
St. Mary Parish School Superintendent Dr. Donald Aguillard said, “Personnel from St. Mary Parish Schools were able to view the police simulation of an active intruder with multiple shots fired within a school. Attendees were able to ask questions of sheriff personnel after the exercise to strengthen their understanding of what role school personnel should play during an intruder event.”
Hebert added, “These cooperative training events give school personnel the opportunity to see firsthand how the response by law enforcement unfolds and provides additional training for our deputies and other first responders. We look forward to working with the St. Mary Parish School Board to coordinate future training events that will continue to build on the security and safety of our schools.”