Auburndale police, fire collaborate on active shooter training

AUBURNDALE, Fla. (WFLA) — The Auburndale Police and Fire Departments are collaborating on active shooter training this week in an effort to prepare for a worst case scenario at Auburndale High School.

The two departments will spend their mornings on Tuesday through Thursday at the police department doing classroom lessons and the afternoons doing physical practice at the high school.

“We’re taking a strategy that is implemented nationwide and effectively training with our fire department,” said Auburndale PD Lt. Austin Leal. “So that we’re not going to be the only ones that respond to an active shooter event.”

Police said all firearms they are using today have been set up with non-lethal practice rounds, but residents near the school should expect to see activity and hear noises.

“They’re the ones that are trained to save people’s lives,” said Lt. Leal of working with the fire department. “Our job, we do have some training, but they’re going to be the ones providing that first aid.”

The firearms instructors are leading the teams to learn and improve various tactics in case of emergency. For example, they will learn about escorting medical personnel, taking care of injuries on the spot and getting anyone who is hurt to a hospital as soon as possible.

“The more training the better. You never want to have a situation arise like this where you’re not prepared for it,” said Officer Darren Major. “The trainings twice a year definitely help in that aspect.”

Officials said the training is necessary for any situation where officers need to neutralize a threat and firefighters need to respond quickly for lifesaving first aid.

“The training is stressful, and it’s aimed to be stressful,” said Officer Major. “Obviously, we pray that these situations never occur. But, these situations will be stressful when they do occur.”

The trainings go from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Tuesday through Thursday.

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