GILBERT, S.C. — Today first responders received training to help them better prepare for one of the worst situations imaginable: An active shooting situation.
Since December of last year, and even for years before that, the Center for School Safety in Gilbert has hosted these trainings.
But now, through help from partnerships with the governor, agencies like the State Department of Education, work is happening to make this center more available.
Active shooter training, which is already offered at the center, is just one of the many active violence response and recovery trainings soon to be offered here.
SLED Captain Wayne Freeman manages the active shooter training unit. He tells News 19 that in conjunction with new parts of this building being renovated, SLED is also working on new trainings for new groups.
"We received a federal grant for special education specific, not only tactical needs, but all types of training, family assistance reunification, and now South Carolina, we're beginning to lead the way," Freeman said.
According to Freeman, they've taught this niche training in three states to hundreds of students, and have even given conference presentations at the national level.
Freeman explains they also have classes on mental health first aid, church active threat response, and an active shooter for dispatchers program.
"It's absolutely imperative that we all train together, to understand not only what the response should look like, but so that we don't have to build relationships while we're in the middle of the storm," Freeman said.
Jimmy Gleaton, the assistant police chief at Midlands Tech tells News 19 the availability of this center is significant.
"The places and facilities that we've been able to utilize, have often been older, run down schools or buildings. Here, if you look around, you'll see there's murals still on the wall. There's still signs, still banners hanging, as if it's a functioning live school," Gleaton said.
Freeman adds that the location is embedded in a small rural community, away from the hustle and bustle of a busy town. Plus, he tells News 19 it's the most realistic environment one could train in.
According to SLED, the center is available to for trainings year-round, and they host approximately one per week.
Sumter County Sheriff's Office Lt. Lenell Allen said the availability of this type of training in this environment is essential.
"Tourniquet training, tactical medical training, building clearing, outside rescue, vehicle rescue. This program has helped give us the knowledge, the tools to actually train our guys," Allen said.
Freeman tells News 19 the goal now is to continue deciding how to modify the center to meet future needs, and make sure everyone knows it's available for trainings.
According to the mayor of Gilbert, John Reeder III, the town has been kept in the loop by SLED about this center from the beginning.
He sent News 19 this statement, saying in part quote, "The chief and I have bounced around ideas of how the town and community can access the playing fields and parking lots when the facility isn’t hot. A large portion of Gilbert alumni are very happy the school isn’t going to be torn down. We are so happy that our school will be used to further educate students well into the future." He added that "As a former law enforcement officer, I know this facility will help prepare our men and women of law enforcement to face new threats against our children while they’re in school … The police presence will be invaluable to our town."