First responders conduct active shooter drill at Columbus Tech

The Columbus Tech Police Department teamed up with area agencies Friday afternoon to conduct its annual drill designed to test its response to any possible active shooter situation at the institution.

Officials practiced five scenarios in which a gunman stormed the hallways, stairwell and classroom at the Robert L. Wright Jr. Health Sciences Center on River Road. They worked as a team to successfully locate the “shooter,” eliminate the “threat” and provide medical assistance to “wounded victims” as quickly as possible.

“This is the time for us to learn and identify opportunities where we need to improve,” said Lt. Brad Hicks with the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office. “We hope that never happens, but these kinds of incidents where you have active shooters and workplace violence are becoming more and more prevalent.”

Participants included officials with the Columbus Tech Police Department, sheriff’s officer, Columbus Police Department, Columbus Fire and EMS, Columbus Emergency Management Office, Department of Public Health and Columbus Regional Health.

Columbus Tech students studying criminal justice took on the role of distressed victims, while Capt. Allen Humphrey with the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office acted as the threat.

To make the situation as real as possible, the “shooter” and officials fired pellet guns, students ran through the hallways screaming and several “victims” wore blood and gore makeup to indicate their “wounds.”

Law enforcement officials were dressed in the nine bulletproof vests the Georgia Fraternal Order of Police donated to the Columbus Tech Police Department.

Hicks debriefed with the large crowd of participants after the drill, speaking about their strong points and how they could improve.

Hicks cited minor technical problems with the surveillance cameras and dead zones in the building as some of the issues. He also commended the agencies on their teamwork and communication skills.

“This is the type of training where there is no room for error yet you pray you never have to use it,” Columbus Tech Police Chief Tom Barnes said.

This story was originally published May 13, 2016 at 3:34 PM with the headline "First responders conduct active shooter drill at Columbus Tech."