WINONA LAKE — First responders from six Kosciusko County law enforcement agencies will gather at Grace College on July 20 for active shooter response training led by Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Tactics.

ALERRT is a premier active shooter response training center located at Texas State Unviersity. In 2013, it was named the National Standard in Active Shooter Response Training by the FBI. Since its inception in 2002, ALERRT has trained more than 130,000 law enforcement and fire officials nationwide.

Law enforcement officers from the Winona Lake Police Department, Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department, Bremen Police Department, Milford Police Department, Pierceton Police Department and Syracuse Police Department will be trained by former FBI agent and current ALERRT trainer Gary Galdes and three assistant trainers from the FBI.

The Winona Lake Police Department coordinated the ALERRT training event at Grace College.

“We wanted to bring this training to law enforcement in our county to ensure we are as prepared as possible in case of an active shooter situation,” said Winona Lake Police Chief Joe Hawn. “While we hope never to employ the tactics we learn this week, it’s vital to the safety and security of our community that we know how best to respond.”

One focus of ALERRT’s training is how to effectively employ a coordinated emergency response between multiple law enforcement agencies.

“All of the agencies participating believe it’s imperative that we work together effectively and efficiently if an active shooter event should occur,” Hawn said. “I’m confident that we will all be better equipped after this training.