Hanford Teams Strengthen Teamwork Through Emergency Response Training

Hanford Patrol officers move through training areas during an emergency response exercise on the Hanford Site.

RICHLAND, Wash. — Keeping the Hanford Site community safe is a 24/7 operation for the Hanford Patrol and Hanford Fire Department. The two teams strengthen coordination by practicing how they would respond together during an emergency, including an active shooter situation.

The weeklong training took place at Hanford’s Patrol Training Academy, combining classroom lessons with hands-on exercises. The goal was to better understand each team’s role and how to better support one another in an emergency.

"Ensuring safe and secure operations is central to our mission at Hanford, and we are always looking for ways to strengthen our response and coordination,” said Tim Haddick, director of the Hanford Field Office’s Security and Emergency Services Division. “Collaboration like this helps us stay ready and continue improving how we protect people onsite.”

Hanford Fire Department personnel train alongside Hanford Patrol officers during rescue team scenarios in an active shooter drill.

In an active shooter event, patrol teams focus on stopping the threat and securing the area so firefighters and medics can quickly reach those in need.

“Working with the fire department on this training shows how committed we are to being ready,” said Ronald Hayden, Hanford Patrol’s training manager. “It helps ensure we are prepared, and it shows the importance of teamwork. We rely on each other, and training together makes us stronger.”