AEGIS Law Enforcement Foundation recently donated equipment to 10 law enforcement agencies to help them respond in the event of an active shooter callout. AEGIS Executive Director John Cosgrove presented the 34 dynamic entry tactical backpacks to the chiefs of area law enforcement at the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office.
“Our citizens’ safety and security is everyone’s responsibility, and our law enforcement is on the frontline of this important mission,” Cosgrove says. “AEGIS is thankful to our business community, which allows us to support local law enforcement and grant them additional tools to protect our neighborhoods.”
AEGIS, a non-profit that provides technology, training and support to law enforcement in the greater Chattanooga area, serves the Chattanooga Police Department, Collegedale Police Department, East Ridge Police Department, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, Lookout Mountain Police Department, Red Bank Police Department, Signal Mountain Police Department, Soddy Daisy Police Department, Walker County Sheriff’s Office and Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office.
After hearing about the needs of local law enforcement agencies, AEGIS decided to help acquire the tactical entry equipment so officers could more easily respond to schools and other facilities in active-shooter situations. The equipment will also assist patrol officers responding to car accidents and natural disasters.
Last year, there were 30 active shooter incidents throughout the United States – a frequency of more than two per month. The FBI defines an active shooter as someone actively killing or attempting to kill people in a confined, populated area.
“Our officers must be prepared for all situations, and that includes the reality of active shooter incidents,” says Chief Mike Williams of the Signal Mountain Police Department. “We are fortunate that our Signal Mountain community has been spared from this type of violence, and we appreciate the efforts of AEGIS to help us acquire tools so our officers are equipped to respond and aid our citizens.”
The tactical backpacks contain three distinct tools that assist officers in smashing any barriers or prying open areas needed to gain entry to facilities like schools, government buildings, churches, malls or workplaces.
The kits are not meant to replace other training or instances in which law enforcement is given key and code access in advance, but the equipment provides additional tools to officers when time is crucial.
Most active shooter incidents in the U.S. end in less than five minutes, according to data from the FBI, meaning timing and swift entry to a building are important.
Source: AEGIS