Taunton Police and Fire Departments Receive New Active Shooter/Hostile Event Tool

Members of the Taunton Police Department, Taunton Fire Department, Taunton Emergency Management Agency, Taunton Public Schools, Taunton School Committee and Taunton Mayor’s Office recently received a new Active Shooter/Hostile Event Response Tool from the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District. (Photo courtesy Taunton Mayor’s Office)

TAUNTON — Police Chief Edward Walsh and Fire Chief Steven Lavigne are pleased to announce that their departments recently received a new Active Shooter/Hostile Event Response Tool.

The staff of the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD) recently met with members of the Taunton Police Department, Taunton Fire Department, Taunton Emergency Management Agency, Taunton Public Schools and Taunton School Committee to provide an Active Shooter/Hostile Event Response Tool that was developed by SRPEDD’s Homeland Security Department for Taunton schools.

“In addition to all the other training our Police Department does, this tool will be critically important in helping our officers to be prepared in case of an emergency within our school buildings,” said Chief Walsh.

SRPEDD has the technical capabilities and expertise to partner with public safety and law enforcement professionals to create an Active Shooter Response Tool called the ASHE Response Tool.

“I’d like to thank our School Committee members for their support and for allocating the one-time funds to make this initiative developed by our leadership team and public safety partners a reality,” said Taunton Public Schools Superintendent John Cabral.

SRPEDD 3D-scanned every school in Taunton and then developed an online virtual walk-through and a paper copy layout of each building. The agency worked with the Taunton Fire and Police Departments and the Taunton Public Schools to incorporate relevant public safety data into its products, capturing critical information such as camera locations, fire equipment, door and stair labeling and more.”The completion of this 3D mapping project represents a significant investment in our unceasing dedication to keeping our schools safe,” said Taunton School Committee Chair Dr. Gregory DeMelo. “By providing first responders with detailed, real-time information, we are equipping them with the tools they need to act swiftly and effectively in any emergency situation. We are grateful for the hard work and collaboration that made this initiative possible.”

The tool, which has both a physical and digital version, is now available for all Taunton first responders to use.

“This new resource will give our firefighters another way to prepare for any incidents in our schools — from potentially serious public safety events to medical calls,” said Chief Lavigne.

A binder version of the tool features an easy-to-navigate, accurate map of every building, including agreed-upon nomenclature and symbology and an exterior bird’s eye view. The binder includes point-of-interest photos of key areas of certain buildings, such as a complex school auditorium or the cafeteria kitchen.

It is coupled with a highly detailed, online walkable 3D virtual copy of every building, easily linked to and navigable on phones, tablets and laptops. It allows law enforcement to virtually tour every square foot of a building to get a clear sense of its interior spaces and gain perspectives that can provide key locational or tactical information in the event of an active shooter or hostile event.

“The safety of our children is our number one priority,” said Taunton Mayor Shaunna O’Connell. “The ASHE initiative provides our first responders with impressive tools that can be used in a variety of ways to enhance the safety and security of our schools. We are grateful for the collaboration between SRPEDD, Police, Fire, TEMA and Taunton Public Schools that has brought this project to fruition.”

SRPEDD’s Homeland Security and Comprehensive Planning staff works with local school officials, fire, police, EMS and emergency management personnel to ensure that the tool is usable, functional and aligns with existing plans and procedures.

SRPEDD previously created an ASHE Response Tool for Old Rochester Regional High School in Mattapoisett.

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This 3D rendering is an example of a model the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District created. (Photo courtesy Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District)