County law enforcement officers spent part of this past weekend undergoing ALERRT training. Marion County Sheriff Jason Sandholt tells KNIA/KRLS News that the training–Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training–was focused on responding to an active shooter in a building. Four deputies, one Knoxville officer, and four Pella officers also participated. The training occurred in Tama/Toledo, and was paid for through grant funding. Sandholt said that it was great that different agencies from our communities participated so in such a situation, all would be on the same page with respect to how to respond.

Officer Huston with the Pella Police Department, who also participated in the training, says that he was glad that other agencies from Marion County were able to train together, because they will likely be involved in an active shooter incident. He says that its rare for multiple agencies in one area to be able to train together. Houston says that they trained in a school setting and the training incorporated both classroom and live action exercises using simulation firearms.