Do not freak out if you hear gunfire around lunchtime Friday in Portland. The Portland Police Department is running an ASHER (active shooter / hostile environment response) training exercise starting around 12 p.m., and the drill will include simulated gunfire and a noticeably larger law enforcement and emergency presence. Officials stress that it is only training and there is no danger to the public.
Official Notice And Details
In a community notice posted at 12:16 p.m., the Portland Police Department said the ASHER exercise will begin around noon and “will include simulated gunfire sounds.” The department emphasized that the drill does not pose a threat to residents and that it is coordinating with healthcare partners to keep the training safe and controlled. The notice also warned that law enforcement and emergency personnel will be more visible in the Portland area while the exercise is underway, according to Portland Police Department.
Why Departments Run These Drills
Active-shooter and hostile-environment drills are designed to let agencies practice command, communications and casualty care under pressure, and to test how well police, EMS and hospitals work together when things move fast. Federal officials highlight programs such as the FBI’s Active Shooter Attack Prevention and Preparedness (ASAPP) training and national response guidance that promote options-based responses like Run, Hide, Fight to help both responders and the public prepare, according to the FBI.
What Residents Should Do
Officials are asking residents not to be alarmed if they hear simulated shots or see an unusual number of police cars, ambulances or other emergency vehicles during the exercise. At the same time, they remind people that any real suspicious or dangerous activity should still be treated as a 911-level emergency.
The Department of Homeland Security and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency maintain active-shooter preparedness materials and recommend straightforward, options-based steps: if you are in immediate danger, run if you can; if you cannot safely escape, hide; and fight only as a last resort, while following instructions from responding officers, according to CISA.
For the latest local details and any follow-up updates, Portland residents are encouraged to monitor the Portland Police Department’s Facebook page and official communication channels, where the full community notice is posted. For emergencies, call 911; for non-emergencies, contact local police dispatch as usual and be prepared to see extra responders in the area while the drill is in progress, per Portland Police Department.
