JASPER, IN (WFIE) -
A frightening scenario was staged on Tuesday in Jasper as first responders and employees deal with this mock situation: a woman is shot by her ex-husband and the shooter then hides inside the Dubois County Courthouse.
Months ago court employees asked the sheriff's office to conduct the training. On Tuesday, those workers were able to learn how to keep themselves and the public safe under the most pressing of situations.
"My adrenaline was rushing. I was sweating. From my office I could see people injured on the steps," said clerk Bridgette Jarboe.
"Today was just to give our court employees the opportunity to know what they'd need to do if there was an active shooter within the courthouse," said EMA director Tammy Miller.
"In the scenario we kinda allow people, give them the freedom to react the way they'd believe they'd react. So if a real situation occurs, they'll react from the start," said Sheriff Donny Lampert.
Jasper Police, the Dubious County Sheriff's Office, the medical team, and emergency management crews all participated in the first of its kind training at the court house.
An educational experience for officers and employees.
"I left my office with information I really needed," said Jarboe.
"Every time we do these trainings we learn a lot. Such as, if our radios work in the thick old building, to just the layout, to where the stairs are, to where the exits and entrances are," said Nathan Schmitt, the Assistant Chief of Jasper Police.
Officers say there's no one lesson to be learned, other than knowing training is the best way to prepare for the unexpected.
"I think the biggest thing we learned together is that we can have confidence in ourselves," Lampert said.
"We pray something like this never does happen, but in case it ever would, we want to be protected," Jarboe said.
Officials say among the suggestions to improve the readiness is to install an emergency code system for the building. Any major changes would have to go before the Dubois County Commission.
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