Department of Corrections Rapid Response Team Training- Media Invited

Media is invited to the Florida Department of Corrections’ Rapid Response Team (RRT) Training taking place on Friday, November 16, 2012, at the Holmes County Fairgrounds in Bonifay. Opening ceremonies will begin at 6:20 a.m. CST and closing ceremonies and awards will begin at 1:30 p.m. CST. There will be a total of 18 state prisons representing Region I which covers the area from Pensacola to Perry, and a small section of Region II that will be participating. This training exercise will include munitions, platoon and squad formations, riot/baton techniques and a physical fitness competition.

This is a yearly exercise that has approximately 18 RRT squads consisting of 14 members each with a total of 252 officers participating. The event provides advanced training to RRT members which prepare them for a real situation if called upon. It allows the Institutional, Regional and Central Office leadership team to evaluate the proficiency and the quality of training that is being provided to the RRT’s.

WHAT:	Region I Rapid Response Team Training
WHEN:	Friday, November 16, 2012 6:20 a.m. CST until 12:00 p.m. CST
WHERE:	Holmes County Fairgrounds Sand Path Rd, Bonifay, Florida 32427
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS RAPID RESPONSE TEAM TRAINING November 16, 2012 (All times CST)
5:45 a.m.	Squads arrive and assemble for registration
6:15 a.m.	Registration complete / assembly in front of pavilion 1
6:20 a.m.	All squads are to assemble in front of pavilion 1 for opening ceremonies.
6:25 a.m.	Invocation by Chaplain Faulkenberry
6:30 a.m.	Opening ceremony begins Welcome – Warden Gerald (Buddy) Roberts Introduction of Guests-Warden Roberts Presentation of Colors – Wakulla Color Guard Pledge of Allegiance – Colonel Marvin (Walker) Clemmons Singing of the National Anthem Roger Whitaker Dedication to Service Personnel – moment of silence for Sergeant Ruben Thomas Recitation of Code of Conduct – lead by Ofc. Smith-Walton CI
7:00 a.m.	Training Sessions begin
11:50 a.m.	Training Session ends
12:00 p.m.	All squads assemble in front of the pavilion 1 for the noon meal Blessing of noon meal - Chaplain Faulkenberry
12:05 p.m.	Luncheon
1:15 p.m.	All squads assemble to the rear of the main building –lead by Mr. Jerry Long (cadence)
1:30 p.m.	Closing Ceremonies Closing address – Mr. Dixon, Region 1, Director. Introduction of guest (Central Office staff, Regional Directors etc….) Presentation of awards – Mr. Dixon, Region 1 Director. Pictures of 1st, 2nd, 3rd place individual teams and winning Platoon.

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As Florida's largest state agency, the Department of Corrections employs more than 25,000 members statewide, oversees more than 100,000 inmates and supervises nearly 150,000 offenders in the community.

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