WWW.LSPDONLINE.NET Los Santos Police Department Press Release Saturday, 23rd July, 2022 "TO PROTECT AND SERVE" |
PRESS RELEASE: JOINT DEPARTMENTAL THREAT EXERCISE
At approximately 1900 hours on Saturday 16/JUL/2022, medics from LSEMS near the construction site at Calais Avenue witnessed what appeared to be an explosion inside the north building of the construction yard. Minutes later, a panic alarm went out to all the first responder departments servicing the greater San Andreas area.
The initial units arriving on scene began to secure the location, and with the initial callouts stating that there had been no more than a single, large explosion inside the construction site, units felt it safe enough to put up roadblocks to either stop or redirect traffic around the construction site.
Patrol officers from LSPD and LSSD as well as C.E.R.T. units from SADOC were stationed at the nearest intersections, blocking all entrances to the roads nearest the construction site. Effectively surrounding the entire block, units were making sure that any approaching vehicles were redirected elsewhere or turned away from the danger, only letting other first responders enter the area.
As officers from LSPD's METRO S.W.A.T. arrived, they began sweeping through the buildings while looking for any potential suspects and victims. Multiple victims were found inside the building nearby an elevator shaft in the north building, multiple fires and structural collapses spread around it. The victims were escorted out of the building to the medical EMTs standing by ready to treat them for their injuries, with Fire EMTs standing ready to douse the fires after being escorted inside.
It was during this search that METRO S.W.A.T. officers found a suspect on the roof of the south building, armed with what was believed to be a detonator for another explosive or incendiary device, as well as what appeared to be multiple explosives attached to an electrical substation on one of the lower floors of the south building.
As the new threat was called out, officers on the ground began moving back the blockades, adjusting the perimeter to include several blocks surrounding the construction site, as well as the section of La Puerta Freeway adjacent to the site. In addition to the expanded perimeter, and as a precaution for the added potential danger, all traffic was now directed away from the incident scene, and civilians driving in their vehicles were ordered to turn around and find alternative routes. In addition to deterring traffic around the incident, state leaders put out multiple PSAs regarding the incident through Weazel News reporters, declaring it a state of emergency and urging people to stay inside their homes.
With the arrival of units from LSSD's Special Enforcement Detail (S.E.D.), EOD teams were deployed to deal with the current bomb threat. While METRO S.W.A.T. officers were still negotiating with the suspect, S.E.D. EOD units began work on disarming and removing the devices found on the lower floor. As the negotiations were continuing, the suspect suddenly collapsed in front of the officers, with no sign as to the reason. The officers moved in and quickly secured the suspect and the presumed detonation device, an additional EOD unit of METRO S.W.A.T. was deployed to begin disarming the possible detonator.
However, as both teams of EOD units were each working on their own device, attempting to disarm both the bomb and detonator, department leaders informed all units over the Joint Tactical Communications Channel (JTAC) that the situation was not real, but rather a planned training exercise developed by the departments themselves. Units started winding down from a prolonged stressful situation and began cleaning up the scene. A debriefing was then held for all the involved departments at City Hall, with state and department leaders involved in the planning explaining everything leading up to the initiation of the exercise itself.
The training exercise was created to simulate a terrorist attack, in this case, a bomb threat in downtown Los Santos. Designed to observe and assess the response of the state's first responders, planning for the disaster training began in mid-May 2022 between representatives of LSEMS and LSPD, with later meetings at the start of June including state and departmental leaders.
With this exercise being the first of its kind and wanting to make sure the units involved were kept in the dark for the training to have full effect, the planning was kept confidential for several months, with only a handful of people aware of the incident's true nature. With more than 80 units across all departments involved in the exercise, it was paramount that leaders could create a safe training environment for the state's first responders, with the construction site proving to be full of opportunities for learning while keeping possible problems out of residential areas.There were [goals], secure the scene which was done well by the agencies who responded, deal with any potential threats, and most importantly minimize loss of life. [...] the training exercise was to also test the ability of government agencies to work together which in my opinion, they did well given the circumstances.Commissioner Lewis Langley
The exercise showed us a couple of areas in which we excelled as well as some areas to improve. All the participating departments took away some areas to improve and areas that they proved to be adequately trained. [...] Our team leaders were put through the wringer with continuously changing and developing scenarios as the situation continued. All leaders did exceptionally and we are proud of our teams. [...] I am excited to say that this is the first of many future operations, we have plans for this to be a reoccurring exercise to improve our departments response as well as skills in the field. We appreciate the cities support of our departments and its members both during these exercises and during our regular operations.Deputy Chief of Police Jay Bacon
With the success of the exercise it is safe to say that the first responders of San Andreas are more than ready and capable to protect its citizens, should a real and credible threat ever present itself.Personally, I am proud and satisfied with the outcome of this code 1 drill. From the moment I dropped the panic alarm and alerted everyone over the department radio, there was an instant response with no hesitation and the communication started from the first second the first person made themselves known in JTAC-1. This gives me a feeling of trust and confidence, knowing that at the end of the day, we are all here for each other. We may be employed in different departments and agencies, but our goal is the same - To save lives and provide protection to the best of our ability.Chief of EMS Samantha Tenbe
For more information regarding the simulated threat exercise, press here to read LSEMS' press release.
CONTACT INFORMATION
- Written By:
Police Officer III Thomas Pennyworth
Media Relations Officer, Media Relations Division
[email protected]
For Further Information, Contact:
Media Relations Division Public Inquiries
Los Santos Police Department
Sinner Street 69, Mission Row
Los Santos, SA, 90013
