Local first responders conduct mass violence response training in Mead

MEAD, Spokane County — Multiple fire and law enforcement agencies across Spokane County conducted a large-scale training exercise Friday morning to practice their coordinated response to incidents of mass violence.

The drill, led by Spokane County Fire District 9 and the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, represents the culmination of a year long initiative designed to standardize emergency response protocols across the region.

“The big shift nationally and for Spokane County that we adopted is quickly getting the first law enforcement on scene immediately going into the building taking a lot of risk and save innocent victims,” said Lieutenant Christ Jones with Spokane County Fire District 9.

Residents in the Mead area and drivers on Newport Highway may have noticed the increased emergency vehicle activity during the drill. Officials emphasized that the exercise posed no danger to the public and there was no cause for alarm.

The training exercise began at 7:30 a.m. with role players arriving to simulate casualties. A sheriff’s helicopter landed at 10:30 a.m. as part of the comprehensive drill that included ambulances, fire trucks, and personnel from multiple agencies responding as they would to an actual emergency.

“We have over 800 firefighters in Spokane County trained front line now. Body armor on every vehicle so it is no longer a special team so we can quickly get those paramedics, EMTs, in body armor touching patients, quickly to the hospital and just provide the best service for our community,” Jones said.

The training represents a significant shift in emergency response strategy. Rather than waiting for specialized teams, first responders are now equipped and trained to immediately enter dangerous situations to locate and stabilize injured people.

Participating agencies include Spokane County Fire District 9, Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, Spokane Valley Fire Department, Spokane Valley Police Department, with support from Spokane Fire Department and Spokane Police Department. All agencies have developed unified protocols for the entire county.

“Every agency in the region has adopted this. On the same sheet of music, the same communication same equipment, same tactic, same movements. So, when we come on a big chaotic scene like this, we know what to do,” Jones explained.

The exercise was filmed to create training materials that will be distributed to all participating agencies. The video will serve as a teaching tool for new recruits and provide annual refresher training for current personnel.