Fire-In-The-Hole

On the road after COVID:

Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office and FEI host Combined Systems Training Event

The Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with New York Distributor, FEI hosted a 3-day Instructor Certification Program, topics included less-lethal/specialty impact munitions, chemical munitions, and flashbang munitions. A cadre of instructors representing the CTS Training Institute (CTSTI) was on hand in addition to me. Learners in the Instructor Certification Program were from the New York State Police, SORT Team, New York Department of Corrections, Hostage Rescue Team as well as DOC Academy Instructors along with officers from Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, Oneida County Sheriff’s office, Rochester and Schenectedy police departments. Despite the intense heat it was a great learning experience. The interaction between the attendees was beneficial and made for a conducive learning environment.

Interested in hosting Combined Systems training at your location:

Go to – https://www.combinedsystems.com/training/

Click on the Agency Request Form button, fill out the form and follow the instructions.

Massachusetts STOP Team Training:

I had the honor and privilege to participate in a CTS Training Institute contract training program for the Massachusetts State Police, Special Tactics and Operations Team (STOP) at one of their training locations in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The program consisted of instructor level training with Chemical Munitions, Impact Munitions and Flashbang and other explosive munitions.

NYTOA Conference:

The NYTOA, (New York Tactical Officers Association) held their annual conference and training event at the Turning Stone Casino in Verona, NY. I represented Combined Systems at the trade show staffing a booth displaying CTS and Penn Arms products. CTS Training Institute offered several training programs during the conference including shotgun breaching, less-lethal munitions, and flashbang training. The Colonie, NY Police Department won a Penn Arms 40mm Compact Launcher in a drawing held at the trade show.

NYTOA is one of several offerings through swatconference.org. in addition to the New York event, they offer tactical training conferences in 2022 in Nashville, TN and Washington, DC. Check out the offerings. It is one of the best deals for tactical training and education. An excellent bang-for-your-buck.

Mock Riot:

The 25^th Annual Mock Riot was held recently in Moundsville, WV. I was there manning a trade show booth for Combined Systems, showing the CTS and Penn Arms product lines. The 2022 Mock Riot had seventeen foreign countries represented and participants from thirty-five states in the United States.  Check out the Mick Riot site and see if it is a future destination for your corrections professionals, https://www.mockprisonriot.org/.

The 26^th Annual Mock Riot is scheduled for April 30 through May 3, 2023, in Moundsville, WV at the former Moundsville State Penitentiary. They offer scenarios, roleplaying, and training workshops. Don’t miss out.