Emergency Response Team Annual Training Held

By Jay S. Olson

The annual Emergency Response Team training was conducted at Camp Ripley the week of August 21. According to OSI Director John Melvin “this annual training event is vital to ensure operational readiness and cross-functional interoperability. This year we focused on negotiation and diffusion."

On Tuesday afternoon, Special Agent Michelle Frascone presented on the role and responsibilities of the BCA during the investigative process of critical incidents.

For the first time, the Incident Management Team was incorporated into the training to ensure concept of operations, and to ensure that the IMT is better positioned to provide support to the ERT during extended activations.

The Ohio DOC had two of their Special Tactics and Response Team (STAR) members present the entire week to observe our practices. The Ohio STAR members repeatedly commented on how impressed they were with the capabilities of our ERT, and the hospitality provided by the MN DOC. They also commented on how well designed and managed our training activities were.