Officers, students and dogs get active shooter training in Immokalee

An active shooter means chaos. But what happens when you add animals to the mix? And we got an exclusive look at important training that just wrapped up in Immokalee Thursday.

Training for active shooters has become routine for law enforcement and citizens. But, now, canines are being added to the mix. From riding in helicopters to entering an active shooting location, K9 unit dogs need to be trained.

“What we are trying to do here is see how we can make the explosive detection teams safer for fire EMS as well as first responders.”

That’s why cops, college students from FGCU, FSW and dogs were in Immokalee training, which was funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

“In case we are in that situation, you know, we know how to help law enforcement we know how to help ourselves we can help other people.”

But at the end of the day, the first responders work under these difficult conditions.

“With this type of distraction, chaotic environment going on, it’s definitely benefiting us as a team,” said.

Homeland Security plans to bring more agencies from around the state next week and put more canines through the program.

And are the people of Southwest Florida safer?

“We will definitely be prepared, and this training will help us along,” said.