GETTYSBURG – Security officers from HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, and members of the Cumberland Township Police Department,Gettysburg Borough Police Department, Gettysburg National Military Park Service and York City Police Officers joined forces Friday, May 24, 2013, for an active-shooter exercise at HACC’s Gettysburg Campus.The exercise, coordinated and led by Cumberland Township Police Lt. Tim Guise and York Police Capt. Ron Camacho, brought together more than 15 officers for classroom and active tactical training exercises from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Opening comments were given by Shannon Harvey, HACC’s Gettysburg Campus vice president, followed by Guise.
“Today’s exercise is an outstanding example of the commitment of our departments to serving our community and ensuring the safety of the Campus,” said Edwin Dominguez, HACC’s interim security director. “In the event of a crisis, the Cumberland Township Police Departmenthas jurisdiction. Establishing guidelines for protocol during emergency situations allows the two teams to work together as a seamless operation.”
“The Cumberland Township Police Department appreciates the opportunity to collectively train with HACC security, its partners and other local law enforcement agencies. It is imperative that we continue to foster a cooperative relationship to better serve the students and faculty at HACC and the residents and visitors of Cumberland Township,” said Guise.
“Although the involved entities in today’s training serve different jurisdictions, areas and functions we work together on a daily basis to better perform these daily functions. Training exercises such as these allow us to build upon this continuous working relationship and help us better safeguard those we are tasked with protecting,” said Guise.
“It has been a great experience training the HACC security staff. The security officers are motivated and willing to accept instruction which makes for a great training environment,” said Camacho. “I am also honored that I was asked to train the police officers from the Gettysburg area.”
He continued, “The members of the York County Quick Response have always shared our knowledge and experience of latest tactics, policies and procedures with the police departments of South-Central Pennsylvania. It is our way of giving back to the community that has supported the team positively over the years.”
“Safety precautions were implemented into these exercises to ensure the safety of those who participate,” Dominguez said. “At no time were firearms used in the exercise.”
The College is closed on Fridays during the summer, making this a good opportunity to the two departments to collaborate on the exercise.
“Although officers from each department have crisis training, this is the first time College security and Cumberland Township officers have trained together,” Dominguez said. “Not only is it an important step in providing solid guidelines for protocol during a crisis, it is promoting good will and cooperation between HACC security officers and local police.”
Dominguez said similar exercises will be held with other local police departments with jurisdiction at HACC’s campuses. For more information about HACC's emergency procedures, please visit http://www.hacc.edu/AboutUs/Security/Emergency-Procedures.cfm ).
