Training for the worst

Tribune file photo Fort Scott Police officers search for a pretend active shooter during a mock training exercise in 2009, the last time the FSPD conducted this type of training session. Officers will hold another training exercise next week.

During Spring Break next week, FSPD officers will conduct another similar training session in certain district schools that is designed to help prepare them for possible future large-scale emergencies. The Active Shooter and School Familiarization training will focus on intruder drills, Active Shooter drills, and school familiarization drills, according to FSPD School Resource Officer Toby Nighswonger. Police said the training sessions were timed to coincide with Spring Break, when students are not in school.

The trainings are scheduled to take place from 1 to 5 p.m. Monday at Fort Scott High School and from 1 to 5 p.m. Wednesday at Winfield Scott Elementary School. Nighswonger said in an e-mail that officers will bring all duty gear, including flashlights, but no live ammunition will be used. A safety check will take place before the training sessions begin, he said.