Benton County first responders receive active shooting training at Gravette High School

GRAVETTE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Multiple first responders entered Gravette High School to receive training that will prepare them for any active shooting and mass casualty situation.

“We want to do everything we can to prevent that, obviously. But in the event that it does happen, we just want to ensure that we’re prepared to handle that,” Cap. Travis Harp with Gravette Fire Department said.

The training started on Monday, and the Bella Vista Police Department is leading it.

“It’s an annual thing, and they try to do it in different places. Last year it was in Pea Ridge High School, and they have several different agencies involved,” Bella Vista Mayor John Flynn said.

Flynn says the city’s Police Chief James Graves has been very proactive in training on different things.

“And he was very big on having this active shooter training and thinks it’s a good idea to have it. So we’ve been real happy with our police department and the way they prepare for things ahead of time,” Flynn said.

Police from Highfill, Sulphur Springs, and Gravette are all participating.

Along with Pafford EMS and the Gravette Fire Department.

“It’s an all day training exercise and it’s a two day class. It starts with coursework and then you get into the practicals and evolutions of it,” Harp said.

Harp says the fire department links up with the police department to develop a rescue task force.

“We’re just basically escorted by the police to go and treat patients and get them to safety,” Harp said.

During the training, they have scenarios.

“They have student actors and have, you know, moulage and fake injuries and wounds and that sort of stuff. So we really try to make it realistic and as chaotic as possible. That way, in the event this happens, it’s not the first time that we’ve been exposed to that chaotic scene,” Harp said.

Flynn says although there hasn’t been an active shooting in the area, they have experienced some threats.

He also remembers the school shooting at Westside Middle School in Jonesboro on March 24, 1998, that left four students and one teacher dead, and nine students and one teacher injured.

“It just makes you realize it could happen anywhere and that’s why it’s so important to be prepared and have people trained and be ready in case something does happen,” Flynn said.

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