S.O. trains in active-shooter exercises involving response to armed intruders, such as in businesses, schools or public areas

Assistant Training Director Lt. Raymond Theriot points as Dep. Sheriff Nicole Miller, left, and Reserve Division Dep. Matthew White prepare to advance into an area.

From left, Dep. Sheriffs Randy Scheuermann, holding the gun, Darlene Langsford, Lacye Lulei and Chelsie Soulagnet prepare to advance into a room to search for a possible active-shooter.

Sheriff’s deputies, from left, Debrecca Richard, Joseph Warren and Timothy Williams advance in a hallway during active-shooter training, as two other officers, Capt. Ronald Martin and Sgt. Chris Scheeler, protect the rear.

Capt. Ronnie Martin, at bottom left, Capt. Walter Dornan, top left, and Deputy Sheriff Kenny Sierra, behind Martin, wear helmets with a shield to protect their face and eyes as they enter a room where an active-shooter may fire non-lethal, detergent-based simunition ammo training rounds at them.

Sheriff James Pohlmann said his department continues training for possibilities that everyone involved hopes will never have to be dealt with – one or more armed intruders in a public area, a business, school or government building.

“It’s a question of being prepared in advance for what could happen, while hoping it doesn’t happen,’’ the sheriff said. “In today’s environment, it’s the preparation that’s crucial.’’

This summer, Sheriff’s Office personnel have been undergoing active-shooting response training, most recently at the old Gauthier Elementary School, now closed.

Under the supervision of the sheriff’s Training Division, headed by Maj. David DiMaggio, officers from all departments have worked on techniques such as tactics for clearing buildings by room searches. Trainers have also attended sessions sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security involving active-shooter situations, Sheriff Pohlmann said.

Also, the sheriff’s SWAT team has undergone training exercises in parish schools to familiarize themselves with the layout of buildings and practice tactics, the sheriff said.

He said many schools in St. Bernard Parish have been entirely rebuilt since Hurricane Katrina and officers walked through and trained in the new layouts.

Maj. Robert McNab, commander of the Criminal Investigations Bureau, heads the SWAT team.