Port Hope Police held a training session at Port Hope High School on Monday, October 27, 2025.
Members of the Port Hope Police, Cobourg Police, Port Hope Fire and Emergency Services and St. John Ambulance took part in the scenario that is required under the Community Safety and Policing Act to be held at least once every two years.
Port Hope Police Constable Chad Heenan who is the training instructor for the service said the multi-agency scenario takes months of planning.
In reality, the situation of a active attacker could take place anywhere at anytime, but for training purposes the situation took place at the school.
Twenty students from Sir Sanford Fleming College also participated in the scenario and were located in various rooms and hallways throughout the school.
Heenan worked with training officers with the Cobourg Police Constables Jay Salisbury and Joel Rashotte.
Once officers entered the school they were they were required to immediately look for the suspect’s throughout the school. While doing so they encountered numerous people who were injured.
Heenan said that all scenarios that utilize the school take place after hours and Port Hope Police are extremely grateful to the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board for allowing the exercise to take place in different schools over the years.
“They open up to school for us which gives up free range to the school which allows us to put role players in different classrooms or hallways.”
During training scenarios Heenan said he encourages mistakes to happen so the officers can learn.
“That’s how we are only going to get better and learn from them.”
As the scenario was taking place officers were asking questions and that is something that is encouraged.
“We had officers go through it and they were asking the perfect questions. “Should I be doing this?
Should I be doing that?” That is what we want in our training event and we encourage that.”
The “victims” were given cards to place around their necks to notify police and emergency medical services what injuries they had.
Once the area was clear, firefighters and St. John Ambulance were brought in and the victims removed and triage.
Heenan said he was very proud of everyone that took part and lessons were learned even though it was only training.
There were radio issues inside the school which will now be rectified.
Instead of officers having one tourniquet with them while going through the school, they may need more.
“Actually living it, doing it and being involved in it and putting all those pieces into motion is something that has to be done in a live scenario. Having it play out in a real life scenario is invaluable.”
A number of people were in attendance for the scenario including Port Hope Police Chair George Kailonakis.
“It was absolutely amazing to witness our first responders working together and getting through this training. It was great job by the training officers who put it all together. It took many months for it to all come into play. But it was absolutely amazing to witness it first hand and feel the adrenaline that these officers might be feeling if they are ever in a situation like that.”
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
