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Joining forces

Agents from Warren and Crawford counties team up for tactical training

Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry Warren County Sheriff’s Deputy Jason Woodin covers the door while Deputy Jake Johnson tosses a flashbang through during training Wednesday at Allegheny Valley Elementary School.

Flash bangs, close quarters combat, vehicle clearances.

Law enforcement agents from Warren and Crawford counties got together for training this week.

The three-day tactical training was hosted by the Warren County Sheriff’s Office and presented by Alan Brosnan and Trant Smith of Tactical Energetic Entry Systems (TEES) of Byhalia, Miss.

Sheriff Ken Klakamp received a grant from the Northwest Emergency Response Group for the training. “I wrote the grant to provide team building and confident skill,” he said. “It is a feather in the region’s cap to have an instructor with the knowledge and experience Alan has.”

It is Brosnan’s third time conducting training in Warren County.

Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry An officer covers a hallway inside the office suite at Allegheny Valley Elementary School as another officer comes into view Wednesday.

“These trainers bring phenomenal experience to the table,” Chief Deputy Chuck Fetzeck said. “It’s very practical training.”

The 20 officers used simulated ammunition inside the school, allowing them to discharge their firearms without endangering those nearby or damaging the structure. “The Simunitions provide a real, practical indoor training experience,” Fetzeck said.

Officers spent time each day on the range at the Kalbfus Club, according to Fetzeck.

On Tuesday, part of the day was spent in the classroom.

The officers moved to a different kind of classroom experience Wednesday afternoon.

Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry Pennsylvania Game Commission State Game Warden Matt Savinda leads a stack down a hallway at Allegheny Valley Elementary School during training Wednesday.

Brosnan and Smith put them through paces inside Allegheny Valley Elementary School clearing hallways, classrooms, and stairwells, and tracking down and eliminating bad guys in the maze-like office area.

In addition to the Sheriff’s Office, officers from City of Warren Police, Youngsville Borough Police, Pennsylvania Game Commission, University of Pittsburgh at Bradford Police, West Mead Police, Cochranton Police, Linesville Police, and Cambridge Springs Police participated in the training.

Thursday’s training involves more time on the range and in the school, as well as work in vehicles, including a Warren Bus Lines school bus.

The officers also worked out the new county radios, which were provided to the training by Warren County Public Safety Director Ken McCorrison.

The school is still property of Warren County School District, and Fetzeck thanked the district, Warren Bus Lines, the Kalbfus Club, and Warren County Public Safety for their cooperation in the training.

The officers do not normally work with others from other agencies. This kind of training brings them together and enables them to feel confident if they should ever have to work together. “It’s phenomenal how multiple agencies can come together and work as one,” Fetzeck said. “Getting all these agencies together builds rapport and lets them know they can be proactive and get good results.”

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