Pulaski County first responders participate in joint training exercise

WAYNESVILLE, Mo., (KBSI) — First responders from multiple agencies in Pulaski County participated in a joint active shooter and IED training exercise at Westside Baptist Church on Wednesday.

The exercise, which involved law enforcement, fire departments, emergency medical services and specialty teams, aimed to test response times, communication and coordination between agencies.

Participants praised the exercise, citing the value of joint training in preparing for real-life scenarios.

“The reality is, in an active shooter situation, the immediate threat must be neutralized before we can safely help the wounded,” said a spokesperson for the exercise. “That’s the hard truth we train to face.”

The exercise also included an After-Action Review, which allowed participants to discuss lessons learned and identify areas for improvement.

Similar joint training exercises are planned for the future, with the goal of enhancing response capabilities and promoting a unified approach to emergency situations.