An Andover Police officer escorts Andover Fire Rescue personnel into the building during an active shooter training exercise. (Photo Courtesy Andover Police and Fire Departments) 
An Andover Police Officer keeps his eyes on the front door as he approaches a building where police were conducting active shooter training. (Photo Courtesy Andover Police and Fire Departments) 
Andover Fire Rescue personnel work to evacuate a woman who is role-playing an injured victim during the active shooter training. (Photo Courtesy Andover Police and Fire Departments) 
Andover firefighters carrying out victims during active shooter training (Photo Courtesy Andover Police and Fire Departments) Andover Police Lt. Edward Guy speaks during a debriefing after the exercise. (Photo Courtesy Andover Police and Fire Departments) 
From left, Andover Fire Rescue Chief Michael B. Mansfield, Police Sgt. Mark Higginbottom, and Police Chief Patrick Keefe listen to speakers during a debriefing following the training. (Photo Courtesy Andover Police and Fire Departments)
ANDOVER – Fire Chief Michael Mansfield and Police Chief Patrick Keefe are pleased to announce that members of the Andover Fire Rescue and Andover Police Department completed a successful active shooter training drill that helped personnel sharpen their skills in responding to critical incidents.
The Departments partnered with Holy Family Hospital to complete an active shooter training drill on June 21 at the Andover Surgical Center. This training was held to reinforce critical teamwork and communications skills that are necessary when working as a combined task force.
Participants of the drill included 12 Andover Police officers and 18 Andover Fire Rescue personnel.
The training is part of a program started in 2019, when the Departments partnered to form a Rescue Task Force. The Task Force enabled Andover police and firefighters to work together more closely on creating and maintaining policing and EMS guidelines for responding to an active shooter.
The Task Force equipped all Andover EMS personnel with ballistic gear. Ballistic gear is used by EMS when entering an situation that poses a potential threat. Gear included helmets, vests, eye protection, and headlamps.
Training was focused on learning and improving skills, with personnel sharpening their understanding of their roles and responsibilities during high-stakes situations. Drills forced personnel to think quickly on their feet, to evaluate situations, and to modify plans as scenarios in the drill unfolded.
During the drill Andover Police responded to a mock 911 call from Andover Surgical Center, where officers quickly neutralized the threat. Andover fire responders prepared a triage area outside, and waited for police inside to initiate a “warm zone” in— a secure area that EMS personnel can enter and begin treating patients.
Each victim wore an injury card that listed their vital signals and injuries. First responders triaged patients inside and outside the building.
“We learned how to deal with real citizens of the town instead of role players that run the drill with us usually,” said Patrolman Brian McKenzie. “Not having seen them before really helps simulate a real-life situation.”
This was the first time Andover Police and Fire practiced the drill with Holy Family and the first time they conducted training at this location.
“I would like to thank Holy Family and their staff for partnering with us and letting us use their facility for this drill,” said Sgt. Mark Higgenbottom, who helped lead the training. “New environments are great to practice in because they can be challenging, so it elevates these scenarios to the next level. This helps everyone be prepared for anything and everything that could possibly happen.”
This level of training is performed so both departments can work alongside one another, each having different roles, and strengthen their skills while working simultaneously to manage the task at hand.
“A real takeaway from this drill was the real comradery between the Police and Fire Departments,” said Patrolman McKenzie. “We train a lot with them for these things so we are constantly looking out for each other. Both physically and mentally we make sure that everyone is okay regardless of whether it is a drill or not, so we are able to move forward from stressful situations in a good headspace.”
“With the world we live in today we have to be prepared for any and every situation,” said Deputy Fire Chief Keith Weightman. “This is a new role for fire departments to be a part of, going into an active shooter scenario and treating victims inside and in the middle of a very involved type of situation.”
Following the drill, participants were debriefed on the drill’s successes, challenges, and areas to be addressed in future drills.
Chief Keefe and Chief Mansfield wish to thank Holy Family Hospital for its collaboration, and the staff at Andover Surgical Associates for use of their property during training.
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