Computer simulations put decision makers inside different parts of the event as it is happening.
Everett Fire Chief Dave DeMarco (seated right) at one of the simulations.
This group was in charge of the area outside of the incident.
Dispatchers play a major role in coordinating the response.
Everett Fire Batallion Chief Plucker works across from Everett Police Lieutenant Olafson.
Everett Police Incident Commander Zeka gives a press briefing in one of the scenarios.
During a break Everett Fire Division Chief Schwab talks to the media about the importance of the training.
Today front line supervisors are wrapping up their last day of virtual training in responding to crisis situations including active shooters and terrorist threats during a 3-day-course presented by the Everett Fire Department at Angel of the Winds Arena in downtown Everett.
Yesterday MyEverettNews.com was invited with other media agencies for a look at the training that is being given to five dozen decision makers from agencies around the Puget Sound.
The training involves computer simulations and scenarios that test their decision making skills and ability to coordinate a response involving numerous agencies all arriving to a crisis situation.
It questions everything from where to park fire engines so aid cars have access to the scene to dispatchers being able to relay intelligence to police from people trapped inside the building where a shooting is taking place.
Logistical challenges, impacts from social media use during an event, communications between various agencies among each other as well as the public are all areas being put before the participants.
“We’re able to go from station to station in these scenarios to get an idea of what each team has to go through and that gives us a better understanding of how to coordinate our response,” said Don Schwab a Division Chief with Everett Fire.
With so many different departments and agencies responding all at once to a specific location, communication and coordination are among the biggest challenges front line supervisors face at these events.
Last year the Everett Fire and Police Departments conducted ten hands-on drills at the Everett Mall of various active shooter events that focused on tactics and physically responding to an active shooter.
This training is focused on the decision making process, coordination among many moving parts and how to speed help to victims once the initial threat has been stopped.
The training was paid for in part by a grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and taught by a company called C3 Pathways.
June 14, 2018
Everett