FBI El Paso Hosts Public Safety Tabletop Exercise

In January 2013, the Investigative Assistance for Violent Crimes Act of 2012 was signed into law. It gives federal law enforcement agencies the authority to assist in violent acts and shootings in public places and in mass or attempted mass killings. Furthermore, Executive Order 3365-2013 assigned the Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security, and Department of Education the responsibilities to lead law enforcement training and develop model emergency management plans (EMPs) for schools, institutions of higher learning, and houses of worship. As a result of the recent horrific and violent shooting incidents in Aurora, Colorado, and Newtown Connecticut, the White House developed a new training initiative, which called for the Director of the FBI to implement a nationwide “active shooter” training program to assist all law enforcement agencies across the country.
On Tuesday, March 26, 2013, the FBI El Paso Division hosted the first Public Safety Tabletop Exercise (TTX) developed under this initiative. The TTX was designed to increase the collaboration and coordination among the area’s local, tribal, federal, and state law enforcement partners in the planning and preparation for the unlikely active shooter incident. The event was attended by 26 local, state, tribal, and federal law enforcement agencies from West Texas, as well as the fire department and other emergency/public safety agencies.
“Although the United State’s Attorney General has asked the Director of the FBI to take a lead role in implementing the White House training initiative, this isn’t about the FBI but rather how all public safety agencies can work together, in a collaborative environment, supporting and leveraging each other’s assets and capabilities to more effectively respond to and resolve a critical incident such as an active shooter event. The goal is to work together as a team to save lives,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Mark Morgan, El Paso Division.