Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield held active shooter response exercise May 16 as part of an on-going evaluation of the installation crisis management plan; which culminates with the annual Stewart Guardian Exercise in August.
Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security's Plans Chief Roy Lintz, said the overarching concept for the crisis management plan was to ensure the installation was ready for any contingency. Throughout the year, the installation, runs exercises to evaluates available resources, training, and staff coordination on-post and with community partners.
Other training events throughout the year included an installation barrier exercise in January, an energy resilience readiness exercise in March, a hurricane table-top exercise in April and several community planning sessions with community partners.
But the day's exercise was an active shooter scenario held at a former elementary school.
"If you look at the news, active-shooter scenarios are a tragic reality around the world," said Lintz. He said they can happen anywhere, in homes, shopping plazas, churches or even schools. He said using the old Brittin Elementary School on Fort Stewart offered first responders an exceptional challenge with more than 85,000 square-feet of space to help secure, search and clear and coordinate assistance.
The event logistics' coordinator, Tony Barry, added realism with role players provided by the 3rd Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team and 1st Battalion, 64th Armored Regiment, 1st ABCT. As well as the active-shooter, portrayed by DPTMS employee Alvin Thompson. Rob Floyd from the installation's training Support Center also enhanced the realism by operating a 120 decibel gunfire-simulator.
During the exercise military police from the 549th Military Police Company and emergency responders from the Directorate of Emergency Services and emergency medical services at Winn Army Community Hospital, were able to secure the facility, remove the threat, and help coordinate medical assistance provided by Winn Army Community Hospital's Emergency Medical Services.
Community members are encouraged to follow the Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield on Facebook as the social media site communication venues, which also include the public address system, the website and web app and email.
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