Emergency crews from the area are in Washington County this week for a course designed to improve the safety and survivability of victims of active shooter and mass shooting events.

The Active Threat Integrated Response Course is being held in Ainsworth with classroom sessions at the Conservation Education Center and simulations at the former Ainsworth Elementary School Thursday. Washington County Emergency Management Coordinator Marissa Reisen tells KCII News that participants include personnel from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, the Washington Police Department, Washington County Ambulance, many fire departments, and some from surrounding counties.

The course works to improve integration of response to such situations for law enforcement, fire agencies, and emergency medical services. It includes training law enforcement officers with medical skills based on tactical emergency casualty care guidelines to help increase the survival rates for victims in such situations.