This past weekend, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office conducted a full-scale mass casualty training exercise at the El Paso County Jail. The simulated scenario began in the facility’s laundry room, where a large fire led to multiple casualties and serious injuries. Throughout the exercise, several additional challenges were introduced to test communication, response coordination, and decision-making under pressure.
Role players from across the Sheriff’s Office portrayed injured staff and incarcerated citizens with a wide range of medical conditions at designated locations throughout the facility.
Organized by the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Detention Bureau leadership team, the annual training incorporated personnel from every operational area of the Office, including VitalCore Health Strategies medical staff, the EPSO Special Response Team (SRT), Intake and Release, Floor Security, and Court and Transport.
This annual exercise is a critical component of the Sheriff Office’s American Correctional Association (ACA) certification requirements and helps identify future training, equipment, and procedural needs.
Sheriff Joseph Roybal praised the professionalism and teamwork demonstrated during the event, stating:
“I am extremely proud of our Detention Bureau for the professionalism and teamwork displayed during last week’s mass casualty exercise. Our deputies, professional staff, and medical personnel demonstrated confidence in their training, sound judgment in applying their skills, and genuine care for one another and those entrusted to our custody. These complex, high-stress exercises are vital to our readiness—they challenge participants to adapt, collaborate, and problem-solve beyond their normal duties in a controlled environment. I want to thank everyone who took part, together, we uphold our mission of serving the citizens of El Paso County, including those in our care, with excellence.”
The El Paso County Jail remained fully operational throughout the training event.
*Photos from the training include role players from the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office.
