An active shooter training exercise brought first responders to Jacksonville Commons Middle School.
Onslow County emergency services held the drill this morning.
Jacksonville PD, Onslow County EMS, and fire departments worked with actors to mimic the intensity of an active shooter, including the use of makeup and child-sized dummies.
Jacksonville Police Chief Jarad Phelps says drills like this are critical to improving coordination and response times in high-stress situations.
We are making it as realistic as possible. Officers are feeling emotions that they’re feeling EMS personnel or feeling the emotions that they’re dealing with they’re treating somebody we want to be able to have anxiety or stress up to hear so that we know we’re performing. We’re performing the best.
No students or faculty were present, as today is a federal holiday, leaving the exercise solely for first responders.