East Hudson Valley News

Poughkeepsie, NY… Today, more than 40 first responders were on-scene for an active shooter situation in Poughkeepsie. Fortunately, the shots were all sound effects, and the active shooter was one of several experts and volunteers who were training local police, fire, and emergency medical services (EMS) as part of the four-day “Active Threat Integrated Response Course” hosted by Dutchess County Emergency Response, in partnership with the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office and State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services.

The training session aimed to enhance the readiness of first responders in handling active threat situations. Dana Smith, Dutchess County Emergency Response Commissioner, emphasized the importance of such training, stating, “Active threat situations require a swift and coordinated response. It is essential to train for such complex and challenging situations so our first responders can be prepared to effectively respond to save lives.”

Led by instructors from Louisiana State University’s National Center for Biomedical Research and Training’s Academy of Counter-Terrorist Education, the course focused on creating a group of local instructors capable of teaching the curriculum to other first responders in Dutchess County. Shawn Castano, Emergency Response Deputy Commissioner, highlighted the significance of this initiative, stating, “With the completion of this course, we now have trainers available throughout the County to expand this critical training to all emergency response agencies. This significantly strengthens Dutchess County’s integrated response capabilities to ensure public safety at large scale events, schools, and other areas where an active threat event might occur.”

The training exercises included live simulations of active shooter hostile events, providing hands-on experience to the participants. The event brought together various agencies, including fire and EMS, law enforcement, and 9-1-1 dispatchers, to simulate a coordinated response in a high-stress environment. Sue Serino, Dutchess County Executive, expressed gratitude towards the volunteers and participants, acknowledging the importance of preparedness, "While we pray there will never be a need for our dedicated first responders to face such situations, we must be prepared."

The Active Threat Integrated Response training involved 14 local agencies, including Dutchess County Department of Emergency Response, Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office, and various fire and police departments. The completion of this training not only enhances the capabilities of first responders but also fulfills grant funding requirements aimed at strengthening response capacities.

In conclusion, the training session conducted in Poughkeepsie underscores the county's commitment to readiness and collaboration among emergency response agencies. The efforts put forth by the participants and organizers play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and security of the community in the face of potential threats.