Several Portland-area agencies participate in active shooter training

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- A deadly shooting at a Wisconsin school one week ago is putting violence in schools front and center again.

The Washington County Sheriff's Office is preparing in case the next school shooting strikes in the Portland area.  

Officers and deputies from several agencies, as well as firefighters and civilians, participated in an active shooter training at Glencoe High School in Hillsboro.

WCSO says they have been hosting the event for more than two decades.

"Stop the killing and then stop the dying," said WSCO Lieutenant John Creccelius. "There has definitely been a shift as the types of attacks change."

Creccelius says the focus has evolved from just stopping the shooter to now include saving the students and educators as well.

"We've also added a medical component, and integrated with paramedics and fire as part of our plan response," he said.

They also run through scenarios that have actually happened throughout the country.

"Its purpose is to have them be more mentally prepared and have that professional response," Creccelius said.

There are about 50 role players who help make the training as realistic as possible.

"The second part of that is that this training offers us a great opportunity for people that may not understand what it is that law enforcement is trying to accomplish," Creccelius said. "If it was a school shooting that was going on, law enforcement's going to risk their lives to stop the person that from killing people."