‘Active shooter’ training exercise held at COCC

Several Central Oregon public safety agencies and school personnel took part Friday morning in a training scenario involving an “active shooter” on the Bend campus of Central Oregon Community College.

The scenario began shortly after 9 a.m. and was expected to last until noon. Portions of the COCC campus were taped off and closed to the public during the training. College Way was to remain open while the event took place.

Motorists and pedestrians traveling in the area were advised to use caution and be aware of the influx of emergency response vehicles responding to the training scenario. Signage was placed in the area to alert citizens of the training scenario.

This training event provided an opportunity to evaluate responses, resources, equipment and local interagency cooperation, said Bend police Lt. Nick Parker.

The scanner traffic was indeed dramatic, involving several campus buildings and at least two different reported “gunmen.” An early report was of seven shots fired and two people hit, two with critical wounds. “Hostages” were taken, at least one suspect was “down” and officers cleared rooms and buildings, also working in the basements (with a K-9 unit) and on the roofs to make sure all was safe.

Parents (or actors playing them) also called dispatch and were directed to a staging area at Westside Church.

In the midst of it all, a real hip injury was reported in one building, but turned out to be one that did not require medical transport.

As the very serious drill moved toward its final hour and crime scene tape was rolled out to mark off where the “shots” were fired, came a more amusing word from one officer: “Our ‘hostages’ are getting hungry.”

The exercise appeared to be wrapping up after 11 a.m., to be followed by a crucial element: the debriefing to review what went well and what needs improvement.

Agencies participating in the training included: Central Oregon Community College, Bend Fire Department, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Redmond Police Department, Oregon State Police, Redmond Fire and Rescue, FBI, Bend-La Pine School District, Deschutes County Victim’s Assistance, Bend Public Works, Deschutes County Public Works, Red Cross, Air Link, Life Flight, St. Charles Medical Center, Deschutes County 911, Sunriver Fire Department, Crooked River Ranch Fire Department, Cloverdale Fire Department, and La Pine Fire Department

Tune in tonight at 5 and 6 for Katie Higgins’ story on today’s exercise.