Lemont Fire Department Receives Rescue Task Force Training

LEMONT, IL - On Monday, April 24, members of the Lemont Police Department, Lockport Police Department, Romeoville Police Department, Lemont Fire Protection District and the faculty of Lemont High School participated in an active shooter drill.

Over the past several years fire services around the country have been called upon to respond to and treat victims of active shooter incidents. Incidents such as school, night club, theatre, workplace and other random shootings have taken many lives.

According to a release, the Lemont Fire Protection District and the Lemont Police Department have identified the need to establish operating guidelines and obtain the necessary equipment that would allow both agencies to effectively respond to and treat victims of active shooter incidents.

The Lemont Fire Protection District has utilized grant funding to purchase protective ballistic equipment and the required medical equipment necessary for response to these types of incidents. In addition, the Lemont Fire Protection District will be training all response personnel in the Rescue Task Force response concepts.

A Rescue Task Force would be utilized as a medical response during an active shooter incident, and it provides a way for EMS services to focus on victim care, while other teams focus on needs of a SWAT team.