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Active Shooter Training Exercise June 2017

By Air Force Airman Sarah M. McClanahan, 175th Wing PA / Published June 23, 2017

Air Force Tech. Sgt. Brenton Deal, a bioenvironmental engineer assigned to the 175th Medical Group, works on a computer June 22, 2017, in the emergency operations center at Warfield Air National Guard Base, Middle River, Md. Deal was participating in an active shooter training exercise and was assisting the EOC in taking full accountability of base Airmen. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman Sarah M. McClanahan)
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Air Force Tech. Sgt. Brenton Deal, a bioenvironmental engineer assigned to the 175th Medical Group, works on a computer June 22, 2017, in the emergency operations center at Warfield Air National Guard Base, Middle River, Md. Deal was participating in an active shooter training exercise and was assisting the EOC in taking full accountability of base Airmen. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman Sarah M. McClanahan)

(From left) Air Force Capt. Elisa P. Shutler, 175th Security Forces Squadron deputy commander, and Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Kevin P. Leavy, 175th SFS manager, work on taking full accountability of base Airmen June 22, 2017, in the emergency operations center at Warfield Air National Guard Base, Middle River, Md. They were participating in an active shooter training exercise held on base. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman Sarah M. McClanahan)
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(From left) Air Force Capt. Elisa P. Shutler, 175th Security Forces Squadron deputy commander, and Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Kevin P. Leavy, 175th SFS manager, work on taking full accountability of base Airmen June 22, 2017, in the emergency operations center at Warfield Air National Guard Base, Middle River, Md. They were participating in an active shooter training exercise held on base. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman Sarah M. McClanahan)

Air Force Technical Sgt. Derek D. White, 175th Wing emergency manager, answers a phone call June 22, 2017, in the emergency operations center at Warfield Air National Guard Base, Middle River, Md. White was contacting units to get full accountability of base Airmen during an active shooter training exercise. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman Sarah M. McClanahan)
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Air Force Technical Sgt. Derek D. White, 175th Wing emergency manager, answers a phone call June 22, 2017, in the emergency operations center at Warfield Air National Guard Base, Middle River, Md. White was contacting units to get full accountability of base Airmen during an active shooter training exercise. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman Sarah M. McClanahan)

(From left) Air Force Lt. Col. Joseph J. Llewellyn, 175th inspector general, and Air Force Master Sgt. Curtis Pollitt, 175th Wing inspector general superintendent, discuss the accountability of the wing during an active shooter training exercise June 22, 2017, in the emergency operations center at Warfield Air National Guard Base, Middle River, Md. The base holds active shooter exercises twice annually and the EOC is set up throughout the year. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman Sarah M. McClanahan)
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(From left) Air Force Lt. Col. Joseph J. Llewellyn, 175th inspector general, and Air Force Master Sgt. Curtis Pollitt, 175th Wing inspector general superintendent, discuss the accountability of the wing during an active shooter training exercise June 22, 2017, in the emergency operations center at Warfield Air National Guard Base, Middle River, Md. The base holds active shooter exercises twice annually and the EOC is set up throughout the year. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman Sarah M. McClanahan)

Service members work to take full accountability of 175th Wing Airmen June 22, 2017, in the emergency operations center at Warfield Air National Guard Base, Middle River, Md. The members were participating in Warfield’s first active shooter training exercise this year. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman Sarah M. McClanahan)
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Service members work to take full accountability of 175th Wing Airmen June 22, 2017, in the emergency operations center at Warfield Air National Guard Base, Middle River, Md. The members were participating in Warfield’s first active shooter training exercise this year. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman Sarah M. McClanahan)

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BALTIMORE -- At approximately 7:00 a.m. the base went into lock down to simulate a scenario involving an attack from an armed suspect giving members the opportunity to practice the proper procedures for a response. 

“It’s critical that our members know what to do in the event of an emergency,” said Air Force Master Sgt. Curtis Pollitt, 175th Wing inspector general superintendent. “It’s also great training for our first responders and helps them minimize loss of life.”

Active shooter exercises evaluates the base’s capabilities on multiple levels, said Pollitt. This includes evaluation of wing command and control, personnel accountability, and first responder effectiveness.

In addition to running through procedures and first responder responses, another key part of the exercise is the establishment and regulation of an emergency operations center. 

EOC’s support the functions of different areas on the installation and communicates with the incident commander, said Pollitt. The EOC requests services and support from within and outside agencies. It takes accountability of service members and is the communication point for the crisis action team, wing commander, and the rest of the installation. 

“It’s critical that we practice this,” said Pollitt. “The EOC is set up throughout the year for exercises and real-world events like hurricanes and train derailments.”

The base is required to conduct active shooter exercises twice annually where the performance of the base can be evaluated.

“We found some strengths and we also identified some weaknesses we can improve on for the next time, said Pollitt. “Any time we can walk away from an exercise with things to improve is a success for us.”

The next active shooter exercise is being planned for a drill weekend in the month of August, said Pollitt. This will be the first time active shooter response capabilities will be exercised on such a busy day.