Yesterday, New College Institute (NCI), in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) and the Piedmont Regional Criminal Justice Training Academy (PRCJTA), successfully hosted a free, full-day Active Shooter Exercise Development Workshop aimed at enhancing local emergency response efforts through advanced training and hands-on simulations.
“At NCI, we are committed to offering relevant, high-impact training that meets the needs of our region,” said Joe Sumner, Executive Director of New College Institute. “Training sessions like this are not only timely—they’re essential. We’re proud to support the professionals who keep our communities safe.”
The workshop, facilitated by the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX), equipped participants with the tools and strategies needed to design and lead active shooter tabletop exercises in their own communities. Attendees gained practical experience by delivering a full scenario during the afternoon session and earned continuing education credits (CEUs), with additional CEUs provided for law enforcement by the PRCJTA.
“Our goal with this course is to empower schools, hospitals, first responders, and local leaders with the knowledge and tools to strengthen community preparedness,” said Ray Resendez, Adjunct Instructor III with TEEX. “We are grateful to NCI, VDEM, and the PRCJTA for helping us bring this important training to Virginia and for providing participants with such a strong, hands-on learning experience.”
Participants also had the unique opportunity to witness an active shooter scenario through the MILO Range training simulator, a state-of-the-art immersive technology on-site at NCI that enhances decision-making and situational awareness for public safety professionals.
“Training opportunities like this are critical for ensuring that law enforcement and emergency response personnel are ready for real-world scenarios,” said Ben Rea, Executive Director at PRCJTA. “The ability to collaborate across agencies and train with advanced tools like the MILO simulator strengthens the overall safety and preparedness of our community.”
The training brought together a wide range of agencies and personnel committed to public safety, including representatives from Augusta Health, Greensboro Fire Department, Henry County Department of Public Safety, Henry County Public Schools, Henry County Sheriff’s Office, Martinsville Fire & EMS, Martinsville Police, Patrick County Emergency Management, Rocky Mount Police Department, and others registered individually.
Reflecting on the training experience, Alfredo Huerta, School Resource Officer at Martinsville High School, shared the following remarks:
“I have attended many active shooter trainings in the past and have been able to take away something every time, but this specific training has been able to break down the entire procedure of an active/mass casualty shooting. From prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery, all of these are great ways to collaborate with not just law enforcement but other essential resources in our area or at the state level. The TEEX training was a great reminder that we have many resources that we forget about yet work side by side daily and on how to work effectively with them.”
“We are incredibly grateful to the schools, law enforcement agencies, and community members who joined us for yesterday’s Active Shooter Workshop at NCI,” expressed Sumner. “Your commitment to preparedness and collaboration is vital in helping keep our schools and communities safe. By coming together to train and learn, we’re building a stronger, more resilient region. Thank you for making safety a shared priority.”
New College Institute continues to serve as a regional hub for high-quality professional development and public safety training. By hosting programs like this, NCI reinforces its commitment to strengthening community resilience and collaboration across agencies.
For more information about upcoming trainings and programs at NCI, please visit www.erics602.sg-host.com.