Senior Volunteers Join SWAT Training

CAMP BLANDING, FL - As SWAT Team training for local police, federal agents and U.S. Army Reservists entered its sixth day, several civilians, including senior citizens, got in the middle of the shooting and explosives.

They were members of the Jacksonville Beach Police Department 'Citizens on Patrol,' an organization of volunteers who have completed a citizens police academy and now give back by giving their time as volunteers.

While retirement for some means shuffleboard and kicking back, Julia O'Rourke will have no part of it.

"In fact I told some of the guys I want more action...and now I have the action all around me" said O'Rourke, smiling.

In a few weeks she will turn 73 years old, but today as a member of the Jax Beach Police 'Citizens on Patrol,' O'Rourke is one of a dozen volunteers to add realism to SWAT Team training.

"Just recently we were hostages and there was a bad guy behind us," she said.

Hostages until the good guys came in with guns blazing simulated ammunition to save the day.

"Yes! They were shooting (fake bullets) all around us but it was very nice. I don't know...different scenarios they do -- it's just very interesting" smiled O'Rourke.

The training is very difficult and very demanding, but these law enforcement officers know the difference is that someday it may help them save lives.

"To make split-second decisions and it really is life or death, those decisions that they make," said Jacksonville Beach Police SWAT Commander Gene Paul Smith.

"We also build in fatigue. We have 12-14 hour days to simulate that natural fatigue of a long barricade or long hostage rescue standoff."

The training takes place on a remote section of Camp Blanding where a dozen two-story concrete buildings allow training on entries and rescues.

"It gives us a three-dimensional view. Multiple buildings. Real realistic training and we just really want to thank everyone out here at Camp Blanding for allowing us to train" said Commander Smith.

This week police officers from Maine and Louisiana, as well as Federal Agents and members of the U.S. Army Reserve "B" Company that will be going overseas shortly, all worked on their SWAT techniques.

And whether it's sharing the best way to unload a carload of suspects, or offering distraction on an arrest or rescue with a flash-bang grenade, the bottom line is safety for the officers, and living life to the fullest for O'Rourke and her fellow volunteers.

We asked her, "Most 73-year-olds aren't running around in SWAT training."

And her smiling reply?

"No. I do several things...this is just a big one that I do!"