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East Texas law enforcement trains for active shooter scenarios ahead of new school year

Sgt. Drew Allison says these realistic training sessions allow first responders to know their role when every second counts.

LONGVIEW, Texas — It's hard to believe school will be back in session in less than a month. 

Although it's still summer, area first responders are gearing up to ensure East Texas students are safe when they arrive on campus.

Law enforcement, EMS and fire departments gathered for the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) at Spring Hill Intermediate School.

Sgt. Drew Allison says these realistic training sessions allow first responders to know their role when every second counts.

"Between three-and-a-half minutes to five-and-a-half minutes are usually (when) the suspect is in custody, deceased or left the scene," Allison said.

Allison says the goal of the training is protecting children and the community.

"Try to save as many lives as we can with the medical training we have," Allison said. "And then try to be able to get them out as quickly as possible, because at the end of the day, they need surgery."

Allison says there are three main goals of this training: stop the killing, stop the dying and immediate evacuation.

As of now, ALERRT classes are offered every month.

"We want to do it continually ongoing to make our community safer, and more secure -- also to give us a higher standard of professionalism and training within our first responders," Allison said.

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