A first-person look at active shooting training drills in Newton

Police, firefighters and ambulance crews across Newton trained for an active school shooting on Friday, and Boston 25 News got a first-person look at their drills.

Newton South High School acted as the host for the event, with crews preparing for emergencies they hope they never need to encounter.

As officers and firefighters practiced in case they need to save lives, Boston 25 News reporter Christine McCarthy took part in the training.

The first group to rush in during the drill was the contact team, consisting of Newton Police officers.

In the drill, the shooter hid in the auditorium, victims either dead or suffering from a range of injuries.

Officers chased down the gunman, cornering him in the cafeteria before an officer takes him down with a shot. The shooter is then handcuffed, neutralizing the threat.

The rescue task force then goes in, as officers lead firefighters in to treat, triage and transport victims to waiting EMT's and ambulances.

The drill is part of the Active Shooter Hostile Event Response, or ASHER, program, where the goal is to get the fire department in as soon as possible to save lives.

"Rather than wait until the scene is really secure and getting the medical personnel, the fire department is now going in wearing plate carriers and helmets" Newton Police Captain Dennis Geary said. "Going into a situation which could be dangerous and then going out with those victims."

First responders say they owe it to Newton residents to train for potential emergencies like this.

"Their children can come to school here and be safe in school," Newton Police Sergeant Frank Eldridge said. "God forbid there's that catastrophic event, we're trained and prepared to mitigate that event."

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Agencies around the state are doing these large-scale drills, and a big part of the goal is focused on communication and getting crews working together.

The hope is that mistakes will be made in training to help everyone be ready for if there is ever a real emergency.

Newton first responders are running the drill on Friday, Saturday and at the end of the month.

Cox Media Group