Sarpy County law enforcement and rescue agencies today conducted a full-scale, multi-jurisdictional active shooter response training at Cobalt Credit Union’s headquarters in Papillion.
The exercise, called Operation Cobalt Safety, included a single “shooter” and volunteer “victims,” whose realistic-looking “wounds” were applied by moulage artists. First-responders assessed, treated and transported multiple victims to area hospitals.
“Training in a real-life scenario allows our partners from every facet of emergency services to run through their response and find out where we, as a coordinated effort, can make improvements,” said Sarpy County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Kevin Griger.
This was Sarpy County’s fourth active shooter response training and the first in a business/office setting. The previous exercises were at Werner Park in 2011, Papillion La Vista South High School in 2015 and at Bellevue University in 2018. 
“As members of the Sarpy County community, we were honored to host this important training exercise,” said Robin Larsen, President and Chief Executive Officer at Cobalt Credit Union. “It’s part of our commitment to keep our customers, our employees and our Sarpy County neighbors safe."
The training exercise was funded by a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
“Cobalt has been an incredible partner, allowing us to use their facility,” Capt. Griger said. “We also want to thank all of the volunteers and partner agencies for making this training possible.”
In addition to Cobalt Credit Union staff and volunteers, more than 100 first responders from various organizations took part in the exercise, including Sarpy County Sheriff’s Office, Sarpy County Emergency Management, Sarpy County Emergency Communications, Papillion Police Department, Papillion Fire Department, Bellevue Police Department, Bellevue Fire Department, La Vista Police Department, Gretna Fire Department, Springfield Fire Department, Ralston Fire Department, Nebraska State Patrol, CHI Health Midlands, Nebraska Medicine Bellevue, City of Omaha, Air Methods, the Salvation Army and the American Red Cross.
Paramedics and other first-responders prepare to enter Cobalt Credit Union during Operation Cobalt Safety, full-scale, multi-jurisdictional active shooter response training on April 24, 2022. As part of the training, several volunteer victims were transported to area hospitals.
As part of Operation Cobalt Safety, officials set up a family reunification center at the Sarpy County Courthouse on April 24, 2022. Volunteers from the American Red Cross and chaplains from Sarpy County law enforcement agencies practiced how they would handle reuniting families and comforting family and friends of those who were injured or killed.