Police and Firefighters who participated in the Emergency Response Training review their actions during a debriefing afterward. (Courtesy Melrose Police Department) 
Melrose Fire Department Engine 3 is parked outside of the Beebe School on West Foster Street during the training exercises. (Photo Courtesy Melrose Police Department)
The Melrose Police Department and Melrose Fire Department report that Melrose police officers and firefighters participated in annual Emergency Response Training at the former Beebe School last week.
The Advanced Law Enforcement Repaid Response Training (ALERRT) was organized by Melrose Police Sgt. David Akell, School Resource Officer Robert Mann, and Melrose Fire Lt. Brian Moran.
Training took place at the former Beebe School on West Foster Street from Monday to Thursday. Each day of training began with a classroom presentation on updates to tactics, best practices, and other aspects of emergency response and active shooter response.
Participants broke up into groups and took part in small group training simulations to practice skills association with a variety of incidents, including active shooter scenarios.
Training scenarios helped police and firefighters practice working together, with firefighters staging outside the building and then entering to help evacuate and treat injured individuals in coordination with police.
“This training ensures our first responders are up to date on the most current best practices and tactics for responding to a variety of situations,” said Chief Lyle. “We hope we never have to use many of the skills we practiced today in collaboration with firefighters, but we are dedicated to being prepared for any emergencies and all hazards.”
After the training scenarios, participants engaged in an after-action briefing to review what went right, and what participants could have done better.
“This training is mandated by the state, and it helps us ensure we’re prepared and effective in case we have to respond to different types of emergency situations in the City of Melrose, or in surrounding cities and towns,” said Officer Mann. “This training helps create muscle memory and prepares us through repetition so we can react quickly to end any threats.”
Melrose Fire Lt. Moran, who is also a paramedic and a retired U.S. Army medic, and Sgt. Akell, who is one of the Police Department’s firearms instructors, said the ALERRT Training provides a standardized, nationally recognized program for first responders to stay current with best practices established by real-world responses and incidents.
The training exercise is one of several that first responders in Melrose participate in each year to keep their skills sharp and up to date.
To learn more about ALERRT Training, visit: https://alerrt.org/about.
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