If the unthinkable ever happens, the Glenwood Springs Fire Department and Glenwood Springs Police Department will be prepared to work hand-in-hand to help save as many lives as possible.

Over the New Year holiday week, first responders from Glenwood’s police and fire departments came together for active shooter training at Glenwood Springs Middle School.

Chief of Public Safety Joseph Deras said the idea for the training came out of his experience with the Gilroy Police Department during the 2019 Gilroy Garlic Festival shooting, during which three people were killed and 17 injured.

“I often refer to — and use as a foundation — the experience I brought with me from the tragedy our community suffered in California,” Deras wrote in an email to the Post Independent. “The Glenwood Springs public safety apparatus has always been aware of and trained for active threat (and) shooting events. I’ve designated these events as one (of) my highest priorities in our preparation, training and equipment.”

With schools out of session for the holiday break, it allowed for training in a real-world environment without having to travel to another community. Volunteers helped fill roles throughout the training to make them as realistic as possible, and officers with Colorado Parks and Wildlife and other agency officials joined the training.

Active shooter training is conducted twice a year in Glenwood Springs to help ensure first responders build and keep skills fresh in the event of an active shooting. It’s a routine that helps police and fire better understand roles and the opportunities for mutual assistance, Deras explained. 

“They have very distinct roles and responsibilities, but an understanding of what is needed through training helps the efficacy of our service while on the scene of any ‘routine’ event,” Deras wrote. “This may manifest itself at a minor vehicle collision, small vegetation fire or complex violent crime scenes (and) events. … The more often joint trainings occur, the easier it is to work together as the relationships are already in place.”

Deras said thinking on how to best respond in an active shooter scenario has evolved over the years, with paramedics and firefighters adopting a role in which they need to provide aid to victims as quickly as possible so that police can continue to focus on neutralizing the threat however necessary. That’s why Glenwood Springs firefighters received body armor and ballistic helmets three years ago after the purchase was approved by Glenwood Springs City Council.

“When I came to Glenwood Springs, I was firm on the need for (the fire department) to have and train with this equipment,” Deras wrote. “That lack of training and equipment substantially impeded the medical response and patient care at the (Gilroy Garlic Festival).”

Deras said he hopes more knowledge about police and fire training will help the public understand and have confidence in their response to any emergency.

“It can’t happen here” is too-often an unrealistic view — so training, knowledge and preparation become key.

“In the last few years, we have seen several violent events which (Glenwood Springs) has not experienced in its history,” Deras wrote. “This is an unfortunate testament to the frequency of violent events occurring in our country. (Glenwood Springs) is not immune to such events and as long as I bear the responsibility for the safety of our residents and visitors, I have to sleep at night knowing I am honoring my oath and commitment to providing the highest level of service and protection.”

Glenwood Springs police offer workplace violence prevention and response presentations to businesses and schools in the community. Glenwood fire also conducts safety inspections for homes and businesses. Organizations interested in these free services can call the police non-emergency number at 970-384-6500.