Riley County emergency services personnel came together Wednesday for a joint training exercise at Manhattan Catholic Schools.
The event was part of a three-day event during which staff from the Manhattan Fire Department, Riley County Police Department, Riley County EMS and other law enforcement partners, such as the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office. ran through active violence simulations, such as school shootings.
Manhattan Fire Department battalion chief Mark Whitehair says the simulations are based on past real-life crises.
The training itself is made to be as realistic as possible.
RCPD lieutenant Tim Schuck says the scenarios use alarms, simulated gun fire and actors playing the roles of victims with realistic wounds to train personnel on how to remain calm and focused during stressful and chaotic situations.
EMS assistant director Josh Gering says that while this year’s exercise simulated a school shooting, the training is applicable to other situations.
He also says that while the departments involved in the exercise carry out their own training throughout the year, this exercise is more comprehensive.
The exact location of the annual joint training exercise can vary from year to year.
While it typically takes place at USD 383 schools, construction projects caused officials to relocate to the Manhattan Catholic Schools.
