A CERT Drill - Active Shooter

On Saturday, March 5, 2016, the LAFD held the CERT West Bureau Refresher. It was a great turn-out. Personally, I learned and was reminded of so much. It's amazing how much is lost or forgotten when we don't practice the skills on a regular basis. The LAFD provided hands-on training in first-aid bandaging with Firefighter Howard, cribbing with Firefighter Dusty Clark. Fire Suppression and Utility shut-off was taught by Firefighter McKnight and Butler. Firefighter Jensen taught ICS and assisted in the afternoon drill, which was an active shooter (a real LAPD officer) shooting blanks up and down the hallways as we sat in the classrooms. I knew the shots were coming and still I was taken off guard by the vibrations and popping sounds of the gun echoing throughout the corridors of the building. If you've ever been to Frank Hotchkin Memorial Training Center, you'll understand how it sounded as the shots reverberated off the concrete walls. Each pull of the trigger sounded like mini explosions. At first I froze and then went into action by following the training and direction provided earlier in the day by the LAPD, which was RUN, HIDE, or FIGHT. It wasn't a real scenario, but my mind and body acted as if it was real. From what I witnessed, everyone in that room acted as if it was real. My heart pounded as people raced to turn off the lights and barricade the doors with overturned desks and chairs. As the gunshots got closer, the room became more tense and I gravitated to the far corner of the room, trying to create as much distance between me and the shooter on the other side of the door. At one point, I realized I had grabbed my Maglite flashlight from its holster on my hip and had it raised as if ready for a fight. I was surprised by the chain of my reactions. They continued our training with a Triage Drill, with "wounded" from the "shooting rampage" carried, wheeled, and carted to colored tarps strewn about the back parking lot. We sorted patients, treated the three killers, performed head-to-toe exams, and prioritized transport to area hospitals with a few good LAFD Paramedics in waiting RAs. It was chaotic, confusing, challenging, and an incredible experience. Captain Winn and Captain Ignatczyk outdid themselves. As a CERT member, I am so grateful. I hope to see you at the next drill and I look forward to seeing you at our B5 Community Meeting. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.