Law enforcement and first responders in Lunenburg County and beyond participated in training exercises meant to simulate how to respond and treat injured people during an emergency civilian situation.

According to Victoria Fire & Rescue Chief Rodney Newton, members of Victoria Fire and Rescue, Lunenburg law enforcement members, and representatives of other agencies in Southside Virginia participated in a National Association of Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Tactical Emergency Casualty Care course Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, May 19.

The course culminated with practical exercises that occurred Sunday afternoon at Lunenburg Middle School.

“It is designed to teach (Emergency Medical Services) EMS personnel how to respond and to care for patients in a civilian tactical environment,” Newton said. “It is designed to decrease preventable deaths in a tactical situation.”

Volunteers and representatives wore fake wounds and lay on the floor of the school to simulate an emergency. The exercise occurred in a school but Newton said the course was not specific to active shooter emergencies.

The 16-hour course, Newton said, covered topics such as hemorrhage control, surgical airway control and needle decompression, strategies for treating wounded responders in threatening environments, caring for pediatric patients, and techniques for dragging and carrying victims to safety.

“This course is another example of the expanded training that EMS and law enforcement are having to participate in due to threats that exist in society today,” Newton said.