Multi-agency active assailant exercise conducted in Lovelock

Multiple local agencies participated in a coordinated active assailant training exercise March 20 at the Pershing County High School auditorium, testing emergency response protocols across law enforcement, fire, EMS and medical partners.

The full-scale exercise, organized by Pershing County Emergency Management, simulated a non-school event where shots were reported inside the auditorium. Responding law enforcement agencies, including the Pershing County Sheriff’s Office, Lovelock Police Department and Lovelock Paiute Tribal Police Department, entered the building and engaged the simulated threat, taking mock casualties before neutralizing the suspect.

Emergency medical personnel then initiated a tactical emergency medical response, entering the scene alongside law enforcement to triage, treat and evacuate victims. Patients were transported by both ground ambulance and air to Pershing General Hospital.

Hospital staff were notified of the simulated incident and initiated lockdown procedures while preparing to receive patients.

Battle Born Medivac participated in the exercise by coordinating an on-site helicopter landing at the high school and transporting one patient to the hospital, while Lovelock Volunteer Fire Department EMS handled ground transport.

The Pershing County Sheriff’s Posse assisted with traffic control, including securing the helicopter landing zone using barricades purchased through Local Emergency Planning Committee grant funding.

Deputy and School Resource Officer Kathrin Rogers led the planning and coordination of the exercise.

Sheriff Jerry Allen said the training is critical to ensuring agencies are prepared for real-world emergencies.

“These realistic joint training exercises help ensure our first responders are well-prepared to protect our youth, families and community in the event of a real emergency,” Allen said.

Allen also thanked the participating agencies and the public for their cooperation during the drill, noting that normal activity resumed following the exercise.

Participating agencies included the Pershing County Sheriff’s Office, Lovelock Police Department, Lovelock Paiute Tribal Police Department, Lovelock Volunteer Fire Department/EMS, Pershing General Hospital, Battle Born Medivac and the Sheriff’s Posse.

A post-exercise debrief, or “hotwash,” was conducted later that day at the Lovelock Volunteer Fire Department station. The exercise began at approximately 10:18 a.m. and concluded around 11 a.m.