Preparing First Responders
ALBANY, N.Y. (April 12, 2018) – A training for active shooter situations led by the National Center for Security and Preparedness (NCSP) at UAlbany’s College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity was recently in the spotlight for millions of cable news viewers.
Laura Ingle of Fox News was on-site during NCSP’s rescue task force training for local EMS, firefighters and law enforcement in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. Her segment aired several times in late March and was published online.
Recent mass shootings, like the one in Parkland, Fla., have encouraged local first responders to ramp up their frequency of training for violent events. Through NSCP, the groups learn how to coordinate efforts, and move into a designated “warm zone” once the danger level drops.
NCSP’s Chris Strattner ran the recent Poughkeepsie training at an empty church and school, in partnership with the Arlington Fire Department and Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department.
"That ‘warm zone’ is where we think that paramedics or firefighters who have good training can move into. First responders are brave. They're used to going into burning buildings, they're used to going into wrecked cars,” Strattner told Fox News.
“We're just giving them the tools to go into a semi-safe place. We tell them how to make the situation a little safer for themselves and let them work to save lives in that spot."
Fox News averages 2.9 million viewers during prime time – offering a valuable national exposure opportunity for the NCSP and its training offerings.
“Mass shootings can happen anywhere at any time. Our nation’s local EMS, firefighters and law enforcement need to be ready for the worst case scenario,” said Sam Phillips, NCSP director and public service professor at UAlbany’s College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity. “We are thankful to Fox News for highlighting this important training. Our Center is committed to preparing first responders for future threats.”
NCSP has offered rescue task force training since 2009. The Center partners with the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services in developing and delivering its training programs, many of which are held at the State Preparedness Training Center in Oriskany, N.Y.
You can learn more about the NCSP and its mission here.
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