Law enforcement and EMS hold training session at Independence Mall

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The Wilmington Police Department, along with Wilmington Fire, EMS and NC State Highway Patrol conducted a training session at Independence Mall on Sunday. 

The training session was meant to simulate the emergency response to an active shooter situation. 

Lieutenant Greg Willett of the Wilmington Police Department said the training is a great opportunity to test vital equipment in the field. 

“It gives us a great opportunity to test our equipment,” Willett said. “Everything from radios to drones to simulated weapons, things like that. So, it really goes to help serve the community better, and ultimately keep the community safe.” 

But the training session is not just important to law enforcement. 

“Even though we serve different roles, you know, we’re law enforcement, their EMS and fire, they’re just as much involved in this as we are,” Willett explained. “Our job is to go in, neutralize the threat, secure the area, and their job is to provide lifesaving.” 

And for Crisis Negotiator Corporal Melanie Medlock, being prepared is paramount to serving the community effectively. 

“Preparedness is a big thing, especially if it’s a call out, and to make each officer aware that if you get called out suddenly,” Medlock said. “Because we’re a negotiating team, so it’s a 24-hour thing. Same thing with a bomb unit and same thing with our SWAT unit.” 

In an active emergency situation, Medlock is in charge of communicating with those involved. 

“It’s very important to build to be able to communicate and build a report with someone, whether they’re on a bridge, or sitting on that fence, whether they want to harm themselves or someone else,” Medlock said. 

Sunday’s training is the first that WPD Officer Nick Morrison has attended. He said that preparing for the worst is the best way to expect the unexpected. 

“If we have this training and get some reps in, now we know what to expect, they can throw any curve balls at us, just get a lot of variables out of the way, and make sure you know what your doing and know what to expect,” Morrison said.