Members of the ERT, using the cover of a ballistic shield, advance while delivering the "throw phone" to the residence.
Photos and story by Mike Kellems
(Click on photos to enlarge)
On Thursday afternoon, Jan. 19, 2012, anyone traveling near CR 50 North and CR 500 East in Rolling Prairie might have been shocked to see the high drama of a full-scale tactical operation in the works. Not to worry, though — the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department’s Emergency Response Team (ERT) and Hostage Crisis Negotiators (HCN) were conducting a mock hostage situation at an abandoned farmhouse.
The mock scenario involved a family fight that turned ugly when a gunshot was fired by the father and a son broke his arm running up the stairs of the home. In the mock situation, an initial responding deputy, Skyler Curtis, hears a gunshot upon his arrival and immediately requests an ERT and HCN response. As the situation is played out, the tactical unit is able to rescue the family members, including a wife, played by Indiana State Police Detective Mary Hewitt, and two teenage sons, played by Samuel Brown and Jordan Armstrong, as negotiators work for their release.
While the Sheriff’s ERT trains monthly, this was the first time that negotiators joined in a mock scenario. The training also included members of the LaPorte County Emergency Medical Service and the Kankakee Township Volunteer Fire Department.
Following the “standoff,” participants underwent a debriefing during which they discussed their observations and broke down the negatives and positives of the training exercise.
Team leaders are hoping to hold another training in the future and include other LaPorte County emergency-response agencies.
ERT Commander Sgt, Ron Heeg (right) is briefed by Deputy Skyler Curtis (left) as Hostage/Crisis Negotiator Derek Allen listens.
ERT tactical members advance toward the house.
