Sheriffs School Disaster Training Summer Exercises

Sheriffs School Disaster Training Summer Exercises

This summer, the Ashe County Sheriff’s Office changed how we prepare for the worst-case scenarios that we hope never come to our corner
of the state. As an all-new program visioned and initiated by Sheriff Howell, the training is a blend of Rapid Deployment and situational
exercises designed to train our local law enforcement for dark situations. “It’s very obvious that we never want to see these situations
anywhere, nonetheless here in Ashe County. Each of us send those prayers for the safety of our children, but we are also training
for the worst. We have been trying this for a few years but didn’t have the right instructor to carry it forward. The program is a blend of
active shooter, domestic response as well as building our noshoot/shoot scenarios” ~ Sheriff Phil Howell.

Led by Sergeant Brian Blanco, Rapid Deployment is the building block of the program. We conducted four training exercises across most of the county’s schools this summer. Rapid Deployment Training combines standard law enforcement techniques in a high-impact emergency
situation. “I honestly can’t think of a greater responsibility that we carry, than to make absolutely certain that our deputies are prepared in the event, God forbid, the unthinkable happens. If you were to watch our training, you would see just how serious everybody takes and just
how laser-focused the deputies are on learning this stuff. They obviously understand the weight of that responsibility, too.” – Sgt. Blanco

The training starts in a classroom setting, where law enforcement learn the latest updates on emergencies involving an active shooter. It engages our staff with information and practical exercises to focus on proper team movements. Additionally, our staff is trained for room clearing, clearing stairways, and evacuations for victims. During the training exercises, our instructors used different scenarios
where staff worked in teams to respond to active threat situations. These scenarios are life-threatening and require action by law enforcement to prevent injury and death. Our last Rapid Deployment training was conducted at Ashe County High School, where all our law enforcement staff focused on repetitive active scene scenarios. They all did a fantastic job working as a team to apprehend the shooter. Our staff takes this
seriously and ensures they are doing their best to ensure the safety of our children.