In light of recent tragedies like the theater shooting in Lafayette, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette is taking steps to better ensure the safety of its students.

UL Lafayette Police are collaborating with local departments such as Acadian Ambulance and the Lafayette Sheriff’s Office to train their first responders for an active shooter situation. Police are drilled on various scenarios in which they must eliminate potential threats, clear classrooms, as well as get medical attention for those injured. The scenarios are all simulated, of course, but better safe than sorry.

Here is some footage of the training exercises, courtesy of UL.

As mentioned in the video, multiple Lafayette law enforcement agencies are training collaboratively to ensure a more efficient emergency response.

“The purpose of the event is to continue being proficient when dealing with large events and multiple agencies. The goal would be fine-tuning any areas that may seem insufficient,” said John Witt, Acadian Ambulance’s quality improvement coordinator.

By getting all local agencies on the same page, the UL police officers are better preparing the Lafayette community for emergency situations.

The drills were held on December 15 and 17 in UL’s Griffin Hall. UL police urged students and faculty to stay away from the area while the scenarios played out.

UL also posted this video on the university police website entitled “RUN. HIDE. FIGHT. Surviving an Active Shooter Event”.

A lot of that video, produced by Houston’s Office of Public Safety and Homeland Security, seems like common sense, aside from the fight scene with improvised weapons. That part is actually kind of hilarious. At any rate, UL Lafayette is certainly making an effort to better inform and protect its students and faculty.

It is a sad reality that universities now need to take these precautions, but it is a reality none the less. It is a reality that communities like Lafayette were forced to accept. Now they are hoping for the best and preparing for the worst.

Is this something more universities should participate in? Should other local departments like LSU Police be preparing for an active shooter situation?