OK law enforcement agencies drill for active shooter scenarios

FORT SILL, Okla. (KSWO) - 7News videojournalist Seth Marsicano attended an active shooter training alongside agencies like the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and Fort Sill Military Police on Thursday.

Fort Sill hosted the 2-day event, which was meant to teach different law enforcement agencies learn how to work together in case of an active shooter scenario.

Eric Foster with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol said it’s critical that everyone is on the same page.

“The same verbiage, the same way that we respond and progress to a trooper. The way that we keep the public safe in these situations,” said Foster. “We’re all acting together, so that when we show up as an ad hoc team, so to speak, we’re all operating on the same sheet of music.”

The school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, had a profound effect on how states across the country respond to reports of active shooters. It led to Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt issuing an executive order earlier this year mandating active shooter training.

The training began in the classroom before heading out into real-life scenarios, including room-clearing, dealing with hostages, and accurately reporting what’s happening as the scene unfolds.

“We are very blessed to get on the ground floor here at Ft. Sill, to train with the cream of the crop, with Highway Patrol,” said Patrol Branch Chief Lawson Guthrie. “It’s been great. We’re hoping to do more training throughout the year. And looking forward to getting a lot more people trained in the state of Oklahoma.”

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