CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. -- Authorities are alerting the public about a scheduled training session for active shooter situations at the Punta Gorda Airport on Tuesday.
During the training, portions of the airport property will be closed. These areas include the Bailey Terminal, Skyview Cafe, and the Viking Avenue entrance road.
No commercial flights are scheduled for this date.
This training is not open to observers or media.
Private pilots and airport tenants are encouraged to visit https://www.flypgd.com/buzz / for information from Punta Gorda Airport on usage of the facilities during the training.
“We frequently train for real-life emergency scenarios so we are better prepared to respond to them in real life,” states Sheriff Bill Prummell. “Conducting the training jointly with Charlotte County Fire & EMS ensures everyone knows their responsibilities during an active shooter or other incident requiring a large response of personnel. We appreciate our community partnership with the Punta Gorda Airport and Allegiant Airlines as they host us for this training and provide volunteer assistance.”
Charlotte County Fire & EMS Chief Bill Van Helden also stressed the importance of scenario training. “Fire & EMS and the Sheriff’s Office must be ever vigilant in preparing for the unthinkable,” he stated. “Our success in addressing threats to our community can only come from joint planning and training. You play like you practice.”
