HomeMy WebLinkAboutSWAT Class and MedicsContact: Lauren Siebenaler, Senior Communications Coordinator
Phone 952-833-9537 • LSiebenaler@EdinaMN.gov • EdinaMN.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
South Metro Public Safety Training Facility’s Biggest SWAT Class Completes Training
Edina, Minn., May 19, 2023 – During the week of May 1, the South Metro Public Safety Training Facility held a Basic SWAT School training for its biggest class with 21 students from various
public safety agencies in the metro, including five students from Edina.
The Edina Police and Fire departments’ five students included Patrol Officers Erin Christensen, Gaby Doyle and Nick Pedersen and Paramedic/Firefighters Luke Anderson and Bernie de Hoog.
Representatives of the cities of Anoka, Eden Prairie, Hopkins, Maple Grove, Minnetonka, Orono and St. Louis Park and Sherburne County were also part of the class.
Officers Doyle and Pedersen took the course as a cross-training opportunity.
The Edina SWAT Team is made up of 15 people, including four Paramedic/Firefighters and 11 Police Officers. New members of the Edina SWAT team are Anderson, Christensen and de Hoog. Christensen
is replacing retired SWAT member Darin Cizek. Anderson and de Hoog are replacing retiring SWAT medics Todd Porthan and Pete Knaeble.
The class entailed training with firearms, wooded and open-field searches, building searches, hostage rescue, building clearing, gas/chemical irritants and flash bangs, armed vehicle
approaches and more. The two medics had specialized medical training and trained on how to integrate into operations to best provide emergency medical care, which was taught by the
retiring medics.
For more information about South Metro Public Safety Training Facility, 7525 Braemar Blvd., visit policeandfire.training.
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