Dakota County Special Operations Team (SOT) and Minnesota Task Force One will conduct emergency
response training exercises in Hastings later this month. According to Deputy Police Chief Bryan Schowalter, the training is designed to prepare crews for natural disaster response, with a focus on tornado recovery operations.
Residents may notice an increased presence of police, fire, and EMS personnel and equipment during the exercises. Deputy Chief Schowalter says the training provides first responders with valuable experience using real-world buildings and staging locations.
Training locations include:
• 400 Vermillion Street (old bank building)
• 410 Vermillion Street
• 412 Vermillion Street
• 418 Vermillion Street
• 114 5th Street West
Vehicle staging areas will include:
• Fire station lot (southwest corner)
• Northeast parking lot
• Bank parking lot
Schowalter notes that the ATM lane at the bank will remain open throughout the training, and Spiral Pizza, along with its parking lot, will not be affected.
The full-scale training exercises planned for May 16, 18, 19, 21, and 22.
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