Agencies provided training on how to handle a major incident, and Ruoff Music Center served as the perfect place for such training. (Photo provided by City of Noblesville)
Public safety agencies from across Hamilton County and central Indiana have participated in a large-scale, multi-day training exercise designed to validate coordinated response efforts during a major incident.
The objective of this exercise is to strengthen multi-agency communication, response, and coordination during complex emergency scenarios. Training includes active-threat situations, suspicious objects, and multiple simulated victims. All this helps to provide realistic, high-pressure environments for responders.
Over the course of four days, approximately 400 public safety personnel and more than 550 volunteer crisis actors will take part in 12 scenarios, representing the culmination of 19 months of planning.
Training tools & enhancements
To ensure a safe but realistic experience, the exercise incorporates:
- Medical equipment used in real-world incidents
- Non-lethal training ammunition and blanks
- Gunshot simulators
- Simulated crowd noise
- Professional moulage for realistic injury simulation
Participating agencies
Law Enforcement
- Fishers Police Department
- Carmel Police Department
- Noblesville Police Department
- Westfield Police Department
- Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office
- Ascension St. Vincent Police Department
- Indiana State Police
- IMPD
Fire/EMS
- Fishers Fire & EMS
- Carmel Fire Department
- Noblesville Fire Department
- Westfield Fire Department
- South Madison Fire Department
Additional partners
- Dispatch / 911 Communications
- Hamilton County Emergency Management
- Three private partner organizations
Statements from partner agencies
Noblesville Police Chief Brad Arnold
“I want to extend my sincere gratitude to the media for being here today and for their support of first responders throughout this week-long training exercise. Initiatives of this scale require a significant effort, and we are immensely grateful to all Hamilton County agencies for contributing to this successful week. Additionally, I would like to express our appreciation to the Noblesville community and our local business partners for their support and generosity in making this exercise possible. As Chief of the Noblesville Police Department, I believe this exercise has not only enhanced the safety of our communities but also highlighted the strong working relationships we have with our public service partners here in Hamilton County.”
Noblesville Fire Chief Matt Mitchell
“This week’s coordinated multi-agency training brought together law enforcement, fire departments, EMS, and emergency management to prepare for the challenges and realities of an active-shooter incident. Training side by side allows us to refine our skills, strengthen our communication, and understand how each discipline operates under pressure. When a real emergency occurs, those shared experiences ensure that every agency can move with purpose, clarity, and confidence.
“However, just as important as the tactics are the relationships that are built here. These exercises help us forge strong partnerships—partnerships founded on trust, respect, and a shared mission to protect the people we serve. By working together, learning together, and continually improving together, we make our entire community safer. Thank you to everyone who dedicated their time and expertise to making this training a success.”
Andrew Newport, Regional Vice President of Operations, Ruoff Music Center
“Ruoff Music Center is committed to maintaining the highest standards of preparedness through ongoing collaboration with public safety and emergency management partners. This exercise demonstrates our shared commitment to the safety of our fans, crew, and community.”
Photo provided by City of Noblesville
