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Bellevue police and fire agencies train with FBI at Crossroads

Published 12:38 pm Friday, May 9, 2014

Bellevue Police Department SWAT encounters a subject in the mall and take him into custody to assess if he's a threat or a victim.
Bellevue Police Department SWAT encounters a subject in the mall and take him into custody to assess if he's a threat or a victim.

Tango down! Except, no, not really.

The FBI Seattle Division, with the Bellevue police and fire departments, on Wednesday coordinated a training simulation of a terrorist attack at the Crossroads Bellevue Shopping Center. A large number of emergency vehicles were stationed outside the mall from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.

The local agencies exercised first response capabilities while FBI agents tested tactics, explosives-mitigation and evidence collection. All agencies participated in unified command simulation for making critical decisions and interagency communication.

“Exercises are essential for assessing our response plans and polishing our coordinated efforts,” said Carlos Mojica, acting special agent in charge for the FBI Seattle Division.The simulation was scheduled so as not to interfere with normal mall operations.

FBI field offices nationwide are engaging in similar exercises with state and local emergency agencies and the private sector, as part of the final phase of a joint Complex Mall Attack initiative developed by the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security.

The public can learn more about critical incidents involving mass casualties at an FBI information page, “Active Shooter and Mass Casualty Incidents.”

 

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