Agencies conduct large-scale active shooter drill at LAX

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) recently led other agencies in conducting an active shooter drill at the airport’s Terminal 4.

The CBP’s Office of Field Operations at LAX joined forces with other federal and local law enforcement agencies, as well as medical emergency services and industry partners in executing the initiative.

“An exercise of this scope empowers responders to react decisively and save valuable time protecting lives including their own,” Carlos C. Martel, CBP director of Field Operations in Los Angeles, said. “Active shooter incidents are dynamic and evolve quickly, therefore a coordinated law enforcement response is critical to stop the aggressive action of a shooter and mitigate harm to potential victims.”

There were more than 300 participants representing 12 federal and local agencies, including law enforcement officers, medical first responders, volunteers and support personnel. The drill demonstrated response capabilities, coordination and communications during the first 20 minutes of a mass casualty incident.

The two active shooter scenarios presented involved one at the baggage area and a second one at an aircraft stationed at the gate. Both scenarios were comprised of 28 repetitive appointments lasting approximately 45 minutes each. The entirety of the two-day exercise lasted a total of 16 hours.

“CBP is extremely grateful with the support and participation of our law enforcement partners, medical responders and volunteers in this critical exercise,” Donald R. Kusser, CBP port director Los Angeles International Airport, said. “In actual emergencies interagency coordination is critical as active shooter incidents are one of the most dangerous situations facing law enforcement today.”