CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. — Multiple law enforcement agencies are more prepared to handle a terror attack after simulating a realistic one.
Forest Park police and Clayton County emergency workers participated in a terrorism drill Thursday morning at Fort Gillem.
The drill simulated an active shooter and terrorist at the military installation.
Four heavily armed suspects held dozens inside the facility. Dispatchers fed information to first responding officers.
"The gunmen have run inside the motor pool where the other soldiers are," said Tareyon Delgado, an anti-terrorism officer at Fort Gordon.
Channel 2's Steve Gehlbach said Forest Park officers arrived and quickly engaged the terrorists.
One hostage was eventually freed but not before getting a bullet shot in the leg.
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The exercise was designed to be as real as possible. Real guns were used, but not real bullets.
"But they do hurt if you get shot by one," said Maj. Chris Matson, of the Forest Park Police Department.
Fort Gillem is not a full-size base anymore, just a small enclave. It is, however, one of the only U.S. military installations not protected by military police.
Every year, Forest Park police complete an exercise of this nature. This simulated terrorism drill, however, was the most realistic for emergency officials.
"It gives officers more of a sense of what can really happen and how they should treat it, respond to it and react to it," Matson said.
It also gives the military personnel a chance to train themselves.
"We know how first responders respond," Delgado said. "But how do you react to an active shooter incident as a victim?"
In the end, all of the terrorists were captured. But they did not give up without a fight.
Cox Media Group
