Active Shooter Training Unites HoCo Police + Fire

The Howard County Police Department is partnering with the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services to train for active shooter scenarios.

The new joint training program started in March.

“Having fire and police commanders working side by side as they deploy rescue teams is a critical component to a successful coordinated response," Police Chief Gary Gardner said. "Together, we want to do all we can to render aid as quickly and safely as possible to victims in need of help during a crisis.”

Training involves interactive exercises in the James. N. Robey Public Safety Training Center in Marriottsville, where the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services practices providing medical care amid hostility.

Columbia experienced an active shooter event in January 2014, when a man shot and killed two employees at a store at The Mall in Columbia before shooting himself.

“The purpose of this training is to advance our readiness should the need for a multi-agency response occur,” Fire Chief John S. Butler said in a statement. “Training based in a realistic, threatening setting is vital, and our firefighters and paramedics will have the right tools and strategies to respond to this type of incident.”

Pictured, police and fire response at The Mall in Columbia after shooting in January 2014. Photo Credit: Patch File Photo.