Active shooter training keeps Sarasota's first responders ready

Sarasota County first responders staged a mock active shooter event Jan. 30 to be better prepared should the unthinkable happen.

The exercise, held at the former L3 Communications building on Cattlemen Road, involved the Sarasota County Fire Department and Sheriff’s Office in a series of drills designed to be as realistic as possible. 

“It's very beneficial for our responders, especially in this day and age where, unfortunately, active shooter incidents are becoming more of a prevalent kind of call that we respond to,” said Fire Department Battalion Chief Michael Sullivan. 

The scenario: An active shooter has injured multiple people inside a building. The sheriff's office is first on the scene, and must secure the area before rescue personnel can come in to treat the injured.

Once deputies swept the building — and dealt with an unexpected second shooter — first responders entered to find volunteers smeared with makeup to simulate injuries lying on the floor. Rescuers were tasked with coordinating with law enforcement, assessing injuries and evacuating the victims.

The training is done twice a year, Sullivan said, and on this day, the scenario was replayed at least six times, to accommodate around 120 fire department personnel working several shifts.

“We hire every 10 weeks, so we have a lot of new personnel that we bring through these drills,” Sullivan explained. The training includes learning protocol and terminology to ensure things go as smoothly as possible. 

“It's going to be a chaotic scene as it is every time these things happen. But the more we train on it, the better we become with it.” 

Sullivan said the training is particularly important to him. “I've got kids that go to schools here in Sarasota County. I was born and raised here, so it's important for me to know that my fire department is going to respond to the call and be able to assess and treat the community and mitigate the issues.”