(EL PASO COUNTY, Colo.) — On Tuesday, Dec. 10 the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office (EPSO) held a mass casualty exercise at the El Paso County Jail simulating an explosion in the kitchen with multiple casualties and injuries.
According to EPSO, the exercise is part of its annual training and is required for its American Correctional Association (ACA) certification.
The exercise involved a scenario set in the jail’s kitchen after an explosion and subsequent fire. Multiple casualties and serious injuries were reported, and several additional challenges were introduced during the exercise. EPSO said role-players from across various sections of the sheriff’s office were used to portray injured staff and inmates with various medical concerns.
“I am incredibly proud of our Detention Bureau and the successful results of today’s mass casualty exercise,” said El Paso County Sheriff Joseph Roybal. “My deputies demonstrated confidence in their training, proper application of their skills, and care for each other, as well as those in our custody. These specialized, highly stressful, collaborative training opportunities are essential. They push participants outside their comfort zones and force them to use critical thinking in a controlled environment. Thank you to everyone who participated, including our community partners. Together, we make a meaningful difference in serving our community, including our incarcerated citizens.”
The El Paso County Jail remained fully operational during the training exercise.
