State Partnership Program

Video by George Felton

CBP Leads Large-Scale Multi-Agency Active Shooter Readiness Exercise at LAX

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Public Affairs - Visual Communications Division

March 26, 2019 | 0:47

CBP Leads Large-Scale Multi-Agency Active Shooter Readiness Exercise at LAX
Exercise Demonstrates Responding Agencies Capabilities and Coordination during a Mass Casualty Incident

LOS ANGELES—U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in conjunction with federal and local law enforcement agencies, medical emergency services and industry partners, successfully conducted the first-ever large scale active shooter drill at LAX’s Terminal 4.

With more than 300 participants representing 12 federal and local agencies, including law enforcement officers, medical first responders, volunteers and support personnel, the exercise demonstrated response capabilities, coordination and communications during the first 20 minutes of a mass casualty incident.

“An exercise of this scope empowers responders to react decisively and save valuable time protecting lives including their own,” said Carlos C. Martel, CBP Director of Field Operations in Los Angeles. “Active shooter incidents are dynamic and evolve quickly, therefore a coordinated law enforcement response is critical to stop the aggressive action of a shooter and mitigate harm to potential victims.”

Conducted on March 26th and March 27th during non-operational hours, the drill consisted of two active shooter scenarios, one at the baggage area and a second one at an aircraft stationed at the gate. The scenarios were comprised of twenty eight repetitive appointments each lasting approximately 45 minutes. The two-day exercise lasted a total of 16 hours.

“CBP is extremely grateful with the support and participation of our law enforcement partners, medical responders and volunteers in this critical exercise,” said Donald R. Kusser CBP Port Director Los Angeles International Airport. “In actual emergencies interagency coordination is critical as active shooter incidents are one of the most dangerous situations facing law enforcement today.”

The following entities participated in the drill: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Los Angeles World Airport Police, Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), Federal Air Marshall Service (FAMS), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), Transportation Security Agency (TSA) Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) and American Airlines.

CBP is continually assessing the capabilities of our facilities and has been making — and will continue to make — necessary preparations. Preparations include participating in operational readiness exercises and the mobilization of resources, as needed, to ensure the facilitation of lawful trade and travel.

CBP’s highest priority is the safety and security of the American people, the traveling public, CBP personnel and the communities in which we serve.