SIDNEY, Neb. - The Sidney Police Department, Sidney Volunteer Fire Department and Sidney Regional Medical Center EMS conducted a joint active shooter training exercise Sunday afternoon at Sidney High School.

Officials emphasized the scenario was a planned training operation and there was never a threat to the public. Students were not in the building, as the exercise took place during winter break.

The training simulated an active shooter incident inside the school involving a hostage situation, multiple gunshot victims and students hiding in classrooms. The scenario included a suspect barricaded in the library with simulated explosive devices and trip wires placed throughout the building.

Authorities located the suspect after an initial exchange of simulated gunfire and apprehended the wounded suspect in a boys bathroom. While officers searched for additional suspects, fire and EMS personnel established a medical treatment area inside the school office.

Incident command was set up at the front of the school, with Police Chief Sam Lovato overseeing the operation and Fire Chief Matt Butts providing support.

Lovato said the exercise was designed to push responders outside their comfort zone. Interim City Manager Josh Hanson, a former U.S. Marine, portrayed the suspect during the scenario.

“We do these trainings because we would rather have our first time seeing these things be in a training environment where it’s controlled,” Lovato said. “There are no re-dos in real life.”

Lovato said the department conducts collaborative training exercises roughly every two months, with police officers training one to three times per week.

Following the exercise, Lovato said he and Butts will review notes, evaluate department policies and identify areas for improvement to strengthen future responses.