Today in Portage Co. history

Metro Wire Staff

Members of the Portage Co. Special Response Team (SRT, also known as SWAT) carry a “victim” into an elevator at the courthouse on Jan. 13, 2016.

Officers conducted the training exercise four years ago at the County-City Building, 1462 Strongs Ave., simulating an active shooter situation in the building, and using manikins to act as victims who were in need of medical assistance.

The team conducts training throughout the year, but since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, training has been limited to small groups.

For safety, training events are typically not announced to the public in advance, and often occur without the public ever knowing.

Previous training events have taken place in public venues like the UW-Stevens Point campus, and also in vacant buildings across the city.