For Immediate Release
1/10/2024
Mission CISD and Local Emergency Responders Collaborate to Enhance Community Safety
MISSION, TEXAS (Jan. 10, 2024) - Mission Consolidated Independent School District (CISD), in collaboration with local emergency response agencies, recently conducted an Active Attack Integrated Response Course (AAIR) aimed at reinforcing community safety. The training course brought together local law enforcement, fire departments, telecommunication professionals, and EMS providers to improve coordination and response strategies during active attack or shooter events.
Martin Castañeda, Director of Safety and Security/Emergency Management at Mission CISD, shared insights into the district's commitment to providing comprehensive training. "Here at Mission CISD, we provide training for security staff and police officers, in doing so we try to bring in as much information as possible for them to be able to acquire these in the event of an emergency," explained Castañeda. “This training integrates the response from police, fire, and EMS, and it helps all of them be synchronized on the approach and their tactics to perform what they have to do to be able to try to save lives.”
The AAIR course focuses on improving integration between various emergency response units, providing law enforcement officers with crucial medical skills aligned with tactical emergency casualty care guidelines. These skills are essential for addressing injuries at the point of occurrence, thereby increasing the survivability of victims in critical situations.
Terry Coffee, an ALERRT Adjunct Instructor with ALERRT (Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training), highlighted the complexity of training on school grounds and its direct benefit to participants. "I think because of the complexity of training on school grounds, everybody needs to be on the same page because a lot of things could happen here and create a lot of patients," stated Coffee.
Participants in the AAIR course are required to be state-certified law enforcement officers, firefighters, telecommunication professionals, or EMS providers. EMS providers attending the course should preferably be EMT-I or EMT-P certified, ensuring a high level of expertise in handling medical emergencies.
Adrian Garcia, Fire Chief of Mission Fire Department, emphasized the longstanding partnership with Mission CISD, extending beyond active attack training to comprehensive disaster preparedness. "Our partnership with Mission CISD has been around for a good while now in other aspects, not just in active attack training, but we're also working together in preparation for any type of disaster that might occur," said Garcia. He stressed the importance of breaking down silos and collaborating for the betterment of all communities.
The AAIR course exemplifies the dedication of Mission CISD and local emergency responders to ensure the safety and well-being of the community. By fostering collaboration and providing targeted training, these initiatives aim to create a more resilient and prepared community in the face of potential emergencies. For more information, visit ALERRT.org.
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