By Rich Larson
Mass shootings and active shooter incidents, once considered rare, have become a persistent concern for public safety agencies across the United States. According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been 151 such incidents nationwide since January 1, including 24 in May alone. While events of this nature remain statistically uncommon in a country the size of the United States, law enforcement and emergency response agencies increasingly view them as scenarios for which they must be prepared.
To that end, Northfield’s police, fire, and emergency medical personnel are sharpening their coordinated response to what has to be considered one of the most challenging scenarios in public safety
The training, led in part by Northfield Emergency Medical Services Chief Brian Edwards and supported by Police Chief Jeff Schroepfer, emphasizes a unified, multi-agency approach designed to save lives in fast-moving emergencies. While such incidents remain uncommon, both Schroepfer and Edwards stressed the importance of preparation.
“These events are rare, but they do happen,” Edwards said. “If we don’t plan for them, we risk the kind of disjointed responses that have caused delays and cost lives in the past.”
Edwards has been involved in active assailant training since 2013, teaching a model that brings together law enforcement, fire services and EMS into what he described as a “three-legged stool.” In this approach, police focus on stopping the threat, while fire and EMS simultaneously move in to treat and evacuate victims as quickly as possible.
The strategy reflects lessons learned from past tragedies nationwide, where delays in coordination between agencies slowed care for the injured. “If you remove any one of those legs, the stool collapses,” Edwards said.
Chief Schroepfer noted that the responsibility to respond falls on every member of a department, from new hires to command staff. “We don’t wait outside,” he said. “No matter your role, you have to be ready to act. That’s the world we live in—preparing for the ‘what ifs.’”
Recent regional training hosted in Northfield brought together responders from surrounding communities, along with safety personnel from both Carleton and St. Olaf colleges . The exercises reinforced a shared response model so that agencies arriving from neighboring jurisdictions can quickly integrate during a crisis.
One advantage in rural Minnesota, both chiefs said, is familiarity. “We already know each other. We train together and work together,” Edwards said. “That makes a big difference if something like this ever happens.”
Officials also highlighted prevention efforts, urging community members to report concerning behavior. “One call can make all the difference,” Schroepfer said, emphasizing the role of public vigilance in stopping potential violence before it occurs.
Despite the sobering nature of the training, both leaders hope their preparation will ensure Northfield is ready—while never needing to use it.
Rich Larson is the owner and General Manager of KYMN Radio. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
