First Responders training to work together in case of large emergencies

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) — First responders gathered at First Christian Church in Champaign to prepare for emergencies in any scenario.

"Prepping for any sort of gunshot wounds, stab wounds that may occur as a result of and active shooter or active assailant incident," said Lieutenant Blake Kuhns with the Urbana Fire Department.

The training consisted of about 10 different agencies. Their main goal was to prepare first responders for incidents like this so they can better work together.

"Making sure that we can provide the most realistic drill to the first responders of this county so that we can adequately prepare for this event," said Kuhns.

It was also important for first responders to experience some of these incidents now and not have to wait for the real thing.

"We want to be doing our jobs as well as we possibly can. You can talk about it, you can train about it but we don't want the experience only when it happens. We want the experience with a mock scenario like this," said Aaron Lack, Patrol Lieutenant with the Champaign Police Department.

They try to have these trainings at least once a year to reach as many agencies as they can.