First responders train for worst case scenario in Jacksonville

First responders from all over our area have been training for the worst case scenario - violence in an area packed with people, children and families.

People in the downtown area may have heard some loud bangs Friday morning and into the afternoon as first responders trained.

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The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, Jacksonville Fire Rescue, Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Clay County Sheriff’s Office and St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office all took part in the training.

Officials said men and women in uniform were faced with scenarios to test how bomb squads, swat teams and the fire department work together.

Action News Jax Law and Safety Expert Dale Carson has been through the training with the FBI, and said it's all about creating real-life scenarios to prevent loss of life.

“Today, there’s an emphasis on being prepared in advance, and as we saw from the bank robbery recently, they were there, they were on time, took advantage or an opportunity, and they were able to rescue some people that might otherwise have been seriously injured or even killed,” Carson said.

JSO said the exercise was funded through a grant program with the Department of Homeland Security.

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