Valley First Responders Trained for Active Shooter Situations
EDINBURG – Images from yet another deadly shooting spree stir a special kind of unease for emergency responders and law enforcement.
Hidalgo County Sheriff Eddie Guerra said he dreads the day something similar happens here in the Rio Grande Valley.
“In this day and age here it's not a matter of ‘if,’ it's a matter of ‘when’ something like that will happen down here,” he said.
Guerra said his office has trained with federal authorities on counterterrorism tactics and active shooter situations.
When the investigation into the Las Vegas massacre wraps up, he said there will be updated training.
Training include local EMS services and local hospitals.
“Our mass casualty plan is well covered,” Hidalgo County Emergency Management Coordinator Ricardo Saldana said.
Saldana said the only thing the Valley is lacking is a Level I trauma center. The Valley does have plenty of air ambulances, medical buses, mobile morgues and trained paramedics.
He said all emergency crews can do is train and hope something like this doesn't happen.