FBI Jackson Hosts Public Safety Training

On July 16 and 17, 2013, the Jackson Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation will host a two-day Active Shooter Executive Law Enforcement Conference in Starkville, Mississippi.

This conference, the second of at least three to be held in various locations in Mississippi, was developed pursuant to a 2013 White House training initiative and was designed to present local, tribal, federal, and state law enforcement partners with best crisis management practices and lessons learned in mass casualty/active shooter events. In addition, conference attendees will receive information concerning assets and assistance available from the FBI should events exceed or overwhelm resources of the local jurisdiction. The conferences are for local, state, tribal, and federal law enforcement agencies, as well as fire departments and other emergency/public safety agencies, throughout Mississippi. Tabletop Exercises will be held subsequent to each conference to increase the collaboration and coordination of public safety agencies in the planning and preparation for the unlikely active shooter incident.

The Investigative Assistance for Violent Crimes Act of 2012 was signed into law in January 2013, giving federal law enforcement agencies the authority to assist in violent acts and shootings in public places and in mass or attempted mass killings. Furthermore, Executive Order 3365-2013 assigned the Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security, and Department of Education the responsibilities to lead law enforcement training and develop model emergency management plans (EMPs) for schools, institutions of higher learning, and houses of worship. As a result of the recent horrific and violent shooting incidents in Aurora, Colorado, and Newtown, Connecticut, the White House developed a new training initiative, which called for the Director of the FBI to implement a nationwide “active shooter” training program to assist all law enforcement agencies across the country.

“While the FBI has been tasked to take the lead role in implementing the White House training initiative for law enforcement, this is first and foremost a collaborative effort—all public safety agencies working together, learning from one another, supporting and leveraging each other’s assets and capabilities—to more effectively respond to and resolve a critical incident, such as an active shooter event. The goal is to work together as a team to save lives,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Daniel McMullen, Jackson Division.