CPD Rapid Response Training

More than 60 local police officers from nine police agencies in the area are training with the FBI.

It’s called the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training program.

The former McBrien Elementary School was converted for training officers to run simulations, including real fire-arms that shoot small paintball capsules.

"You work the way you train. Coaches say it all the time, you play the way you train," said Fred Fletcher, Chattanooga Chief of Police. "And, the more realistic you can make training the more prepared we are gonna be to keep people safe when we actually have to employ these tactics."

FBI Special Agent, Scott Johnson, explained that since 2000 police responded to about 160 active shooter incidents in the U.S.

"In 2002, after Columbine this ALERRT program was started down at Texas at Texas State University, funded through bureau justice assistants. And then after New Town Connecticut in 2013 the FBI got involved," said Johnson.

According to Johnson, the FBI studied these cases to create the program that now teaches local law enforcement on how to respond.