TAVARES — Two Lake County schools will host active-assailant training exercises at two school campuses this week in collaboration with local law enforcement.
“The exercises are part of a continuing effort to ensure that officers and deputies are fully prepared to respond swiftly and effectively in the unlikely event of a real-life emergency,” a Lake County Schools media release said.
The sessions, jointly planned by school officials and law enforcement, were scheduled for Thursday, July 31, at East Ridge Middle School and on Friday, Aug. 1, at Umatilla High School, from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. The LCS spokesperson said they deliberately scheduled it during the summer when students and teachers are not on campus.
Who’s involved in the training?
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office conducts active assailant training on an ongoing basis. School resource deputies undergo active assailant training in “a realistic environment,” because their preparedness can significantly reduce casualties and protect students and staff during such critical incidents, a sheriff’s office spokesperson explained.
Representatives from Lake County Schools and the Florida Department of Education attend the training.
Some student actors are also participating, and they must have provided written consent from their parents.
How were students able to get involved?
The district notified the community in advance through social media, along with the district and school websites..
How many student actors will participate?
150 at each school.
How realistic will the training be?
The interactive training will include simulated gunfire and student actors to create real-life scenarios.
So, note the locations of the schools, and don’t be startled if you hear loud noises.
“We understand that these exercises can raise concerns,” Deputy Superintendent Chad Farnsworth said in the press release.
“However, law enforcement officials stress the importance of training in realistic settings to be better equipped to protect our students and staff. … While we all wish this type of training wasn’t necessary, we must prepare. We support our officers and deputies as they train to be there for us when we need them most.”
Why is the training required?
On April 3, 2023, Gov. DeSantis signed House Bill 543 into law, which became Ch. 2023-018, in part requiring each law enforcement agency in this state to have a written active assailant response policy.
According to the state’s website, “This policy is to be consistent with your agency’s response capabilities and include response procedures specifying command protocol and coordination with other law enforcement agencies in your geographic region.
“Each agency is to ensure that all sworn personnel have been trained on the agency’s existing active assailant response policy, and that sworn personnel are trained within 180 days after enacting a new or revised policy. Furthermore, each agency is to ensure that all sworn personnel receive annual training on the policy.”
What are the guidelines of the training?
The training is based on the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission-Active Assailant Model Policy.
This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: Active-assailant training with simulated gunfire at Lake County schools? What we know.
Reporting by Julie Garisto, Leesburg Daily Commercial / Daily Commercial
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