Fort Belvoir Law Enforcement Officers, Military Police and members of the 55th Explosive Ordinance Disposal participated in active shooter training Jan. 23-27.

The training focused on tactics and techniques first responders can apply to effectively isolate and end an active shooter situation in an expeditious manner.

"They need to get a few things out of this training," said Timothy Wolfe, Fort Belvoir Police Chief. "Active shooter situations are handled completely different then any situation police deal with."

He explained that in a hostage, or other police situation, responders would put up a perimeter and try to get hostage negotiators to work out the situation. With a person who's actively killing people, you

can't negotiate with them.

"You have to move in immediately and stop the threat as quickly as you can," Wolfe said.

The tactics law enforcement teams worked on included how to function in a stack formation, how to utilize mobile hardcover as well as reaction strategies. The instructors from PRO TAC Tactical Solutions, which conducted the training, also taught participants how to shoot around the mobile hardcover.

Most MPs or Fort Belvoir Police in a patrol function aren't familiar with these tactics according to Bert Korngage, PRO TAC instructor.

"With the react system, the on-scene supervisor will form a plan of action based on dynamic intelligence and send a team of people in using the react tactics," Korngage said. "We utilize mobile hardcover and operate in stack formations and we go in and deal with the threat that way."

The tactics and techniques stressed by PRO TAC allow teams to quickly shrink the inner perimeter of the building an active shooter is in.

The react system tactics allow law enforcement personnel to make decisions on their own, which was refreshing for the participants.

"We're allowed to figure things out and go at our own pace and make things happen," said Cpl. Cody Lawson, 212th Military Police Detachment, Military Working Dog handler. "If you're in an officer down situation, depending on how he's laying in the hallway, if he's up against the wall we can put both shields together, move down the hallway and block the one wall that he's on. The tactics are very thorough, but simple enough that anybody can understand it and do it."

PRO TAC also taught the participants how to transition their weapon from their dominant hand to their non-dominant hand which allows officers in stack formations to cover more ground as they enter an active-shooter situation.

"If everyone was right handed in the stack you would only have weapons on one side of the formation," said Korngage. "So, we have different people in the stack transition to their non-dominant hand so we are able to have 360 degree coverage."

Korngage said all of the participants performed very well throughout the week as they asked questions and showed a real desire to learn. He said it was apparent they enjoyed learning tactics that will make them more effective as law enforcement personnel.

"They can use these tactics anywhere," Korngage said. "If they are out on patrol and they have an alarm call in the middle of the night with an open door they can grab a mobile hardcover shield and use these tactics to go in and clear a building. A lot of agencies use these tactics in everyday patrol functions."