Quick reaction, concise planning, and honed medical techniques make a difference in achieving increased positive outcomes in active threat emergencies. Area public safety officials convened recently to learn best practices for such situations. Sandoval County Office of Emergency Management hosted the nationally recognized Active Threat Initial Response Course for public safety officials (January 30 – February 1, 2023) at the Rio Rancho Events Center. Forty-five participants representing 17 public safety entities trained in public safety and medical methodologies designed for rapid implementation to ultimately save lives. The course was conducted by instructors from Louisiana State University’s National Center for Biomedical Research and Training.

Eric Masterson, Fire Chief of Sandoval County Fire and Rescue, explained that “this specialized training is being offered throughout the country so that public safety personnel is better prepared for this type of emergency, which is on the rise.” Theresa Greeno, manager of Sandoval County Emergency Management Services, shared that coordinating this exercise is part of her office’s commitment to area first responders “to help them perform their jobs at the highest level for the benefit of residents, visitors, and public safety personnel.”

During the three-day training, professionals from local Fire, Emergency Medical Services, and law enforcement agencies studied and applied techniques for working together to more effectively and efficiently respond to emergencies in which an active and live threat of violence is occurring and resulting in severe injuries to others. The participants were taught how to more quickly identify and reduce the threat and initiate patient care of the wounded. Public Safety officials from the following agencies took part in the training: Santa Ana Police, Sandoval Regional Medical Center, Sandoval County Fire and Rescue, Sandoval County Sheriff’s Office, Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, Albuquerque Police, San Juan County Sheriff’s Office, Rio Communities Fire Department San Juan County Fire and Rescue, San Juan Regional Medical Center, NM State Police, University of New Mexico, Santa Fe Police, UNM Hospital, Cuba Fire Department, and Cochiti Fire Department.

Sandoval County thanks the Rio Rancho Event Center management for granting the use of that space for the course. Appreciation also is extended to the volunteers from the following agencies for their support: Sandoval County Fire and Rescue, Rio Rancho CERT, Sandoval County Regional Medical Center, and Sandoval County Amateur Radio Emergency Service.