Training for the unthinkable is not always so easy

Last week the Vernon County Sheriff's Office took part in a large active shooter training event held in Nevada. The training was very beneficial not only to first responders, but also to the teachers and school officials. While reading an online article about the event, I noticed someone had left a comment that the Sheriff's Office was using "IFAK's" and was attempting to be like the military. After that comment I had a few people ask me what an "IFAK" even was so I thought I would take this opportunity to explain. An "IFAK" is a small camo bag that can be seen in the photos on the back of each deputy in the Special Response Team, and they did come from the military. An IFAK is an "Individual First Aid Kit." The military had a surplus of them and offered some to the Sheriff's Office so that each deputy could have one to keep in their cars or on them when needed. The first aid kits contain items like tourniquets, quick clot bandages, and other items that may be needed in an emergency. All of the members of the Special Response Team attend the Joplin Police Departments SWAT School, and just like the training goal in this school, the primary mission of our Special Response Team is to save lives. Saving a life could be neutralizing a threat or dangerous person, but it can also be simply rendering first aid to someone in need. All deputies receive first responder training through the police academy and we have also done some training locally through agencies like VCAD who help us keep deputies recertified in first aid and CPR. I know there is some debate with military items being issued to law enforcement, but if the U.S. Military wants to donate medical kits that can be carried on each deputy then we will gladly take them, and we will use them to serve our citizens.

Out of all the training we do at the Sheriff's Office, active shooter training is some of the hardest training we must perform. Nearly all of the Patrol Deputies have small children, many of whom are school age and almost everyone that takes part in training like this has to think, "My child could be here when I respond." Hearing the "blanks" fired from the gun are just as loud as the real thing, and having role players in the school does not just make it more realistic for the teachers, but for all the first responders as well. This type of training helps bring up those questions that no one wants to ask. What if I am called to respond to the same school my child attends? It is easy to say we will train for the worst so we can be prepared, but when it comes down to role playing an event this horrible, it is no small task. I am very thankful for the men and women who are willing to undergo this kind of training just to make sure we are ready if that day should ever come. In today's world we must work together diligently to do everything we can to make sure it does not. The deputy, the police officer, the fire fighter, the paramedic, the teacher, the parents: everyone working together to keep our children safe.