Caddo first responders train for active shooter situations

The training puts them through situations that mimic locations like movie theaters, nightclubs and office buildings. Cpl. Earl Hawthorn says these exercises put participants under pressure and help develop rapid decision-making.

"When they come in, their heart rate goes up and they have to notice what's going on. Teaching multitasking is the biggest thing. It's eye opening for them," said Hawthorn. 

The exercises involve law enforcement officers clearing rooms while firefighters follow behind to provide medical assistance when needed. 

"To get an active, live scene like this here is very beneficial for our members. We train for these scenarios, but you can't train for everything. We have to be adaptable. It's not if it happens, but when it happens," said Shreveport Fire Department Special Operations Chief Calvin Baker.

Hawthorn says joint training helps agencies avoid problems that can happen when multiple departments respond to the same incident without prior coordination, and Sheriff Henry Whitehorn wants all Caddo responders to have experience with active shooter scenarios before facing a real threat.

"In other instances in the past, you got a lot of different agencies showing up, but they didn't have coordinated training. That tends to be a problem. The importance is that we are all on the same page. We don't want any of our people to encounter an active attacker without some prior training," said Hawthorn.