Canton Firefighters Complete Successful Active Shooter Training

CANTON — Fire Chief Charles Doody reports that the Canton Fire Department participated in a successful active shooter training exercise last week.

On Thursday, April 18, approximately 30 Canton firefighters, paramedics and police officers participated in a training exercise at the Temple B’nai Tikvah on Washington Street.

The first responders worked together during several active shooter scenarios during the training.

“Based on the recent attacks in Sri Lanka, I think Police Chief Berkowitz was ahead of the curve when he suggested several months ago during the planning process that we conduct the drill in a house of worship,” Chief Doody said.

During the training, firefighters and paramedics focused on rescuing wounded victims and providing life-saving care such as applying tourniquets and quick clotting bandages. Police officers trained on making entry to a building during an armed intruder situation. They also trained to locate and eliminate an active shooter.

“Having the opportunity to practice our active shooter response skills while working alongside our town’s police officers was an incredible training opportunity,” Fire Chief Doody said. “Running through these emergency scenarios reinforces the procedures we’ve developed, and prepares us all to respond as swiftly and effectively as possible in the event of such an emergency.”

Volunteers from the Canton Emergency Response Team (CERT) participated and posed as victims during the training.

Another active shooter training session for the Canton police and fire departments is planned for this May.

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