Over the weekend, the El Paso County Jail was a hive of planned chaos, playing host to an extensive mass casualty training exercise. Orchestrated by the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, the scenario was set in motion with a simulated fire in the laundry room, leading to multiple injuries among staff and incarcerated individuals.
According to the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, the event was an integral part of the annual training mandated by the American Correctional Association (ACA) certification requirements. A cross-section of the Sheriff's Office personnel, who depicted the roles of injured parties, were challenged to navigate a web of hurdles designed to pressure-test their communication and coordination skills.
The readiness drills involved a spectrum of operational groups from the Office, including the EPSO Special Response Team (SRT) and VitalCore Health Strategies medical staff. Participants were kept on their toes with unexpected twists that immersed them in a realistic, high-intensity environment, while the Jail maintained its full operational capabilities throughout the exercise.
Sheriff Joseph Roybal highlighted the importance of these exercises, sharing his pride in a statement obtained by the El Paso County Sheriff's Office: "Our deputies, professional staff, and medical personnel demonstrated confidence in their training, sound judgment in applying their skills, and genuine care for one another and those entrusted to our custody," Roybal noted. He emphasized the significance of such exercises for maintaining a state of readiness that ensures adherence to the Office’s commitment to excellence in serving all citizens of El Paso County.
