EVANSVILLE, IN (WFIE) -
Each year, Casino Aztar tests and updates its emergency response plans.
A different emergency scenario is played out each year, and the goal for this year's drill was to make it as realistic as possible.
"Today we're going to have an active shooter drill where an active shooter is on the boat and they call for help," said Dave Molinet, with EPD Special Operations.
The scenario was a disgruntled employee entered the casino armed with a handgun.
Employees acted quickly by calling for help.
Police say it's especially important for those who work at the casino to know how to respond if this were to actually happen.
"They need to know what to do if this does happen and how we're going to respond so they can assist us in stopping the bad guys, stopping the situation from happening," Molinet said.
The drill is also a learning experience for the agencies involved.
Tuesday's drill was a full scale exercise including the Evansville Police Department, their special weapons and tactics team, the Evansville Fire Department, the Indiana Gaming Commission and the American Medical Response team.
"This could happen anytime. I mean, we hope it doesn't, but we plan for the worst and hope for the best," Molinet said.
14 News caught up with David Gartner, a deckhand for marine services at Aztar, who played the active shooter right after the drill. He says even though it was all pretend, it seemed very real.
"The rounds cycle and everything, the simulations were played out as realistic as it could be," Gartner said.
He says as an employee, the drills make him feel safer.
"Yeah, you know, it doesn't take them long to take down the assailant," Gartner said.
These drills are required by the state gaming commission.
Copyright 2012 WFIE. All rights reserved.
