CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -
Fortunately, it was only a drill and not your typical credit union chapter meeting.
The Chattanooga Chapter of the Tennessee Credit Union League held a unique meeting that featured a full-scale rehearsal of a hostage situation inside the Hixon branch of TVACU. The brainchild of Chattanooga chapter President Angela Hart, nearly 100 league members, CU employees and around 35 police officers took part in the drill that included an actor hired to impersonate the CU robber. Hart contacted local FBI Special Agent Randy Pollard to arrange the hostage drill in recognition that eventually all TVACU branches will be in a retail environment. "No one really knew what to do about a robbery in a retail branch," she said.
While it was only a drill, it certainly wasn't a game to local police. Police responded in force with full gear, weapons, an incident van, hostage negotiator, snipers and medical rescue vehicles. TVACU President Blake Strickland said he was impressed with the show of force, the thoroughness of the police and the extent of the activity outside of the branch. Strickland said the actor playing the robbery suspect first demanded money and then took four hostages.
"Next thing you know, here comes the SWAT truck and rescue vehicle," Strickland said. "You look out the windows and see SWAT members take up positions."
Strickland said the drill was much longer than he expected with police negotiators intentionally creating a low-key situation to keep both hostages and hostage taker calm. While the bad guy is kept occupied, police cordon off a site to prevent an escape and keep citizens out of harm's way.
"Being inside we didn't know what was going on outside, which is the way the SWAT guys want it. Time is always on their side. The longer they can keep the guy talking, the better it is."
Strickland said a fake gun was used by the actor to fire a blank round inside the branch which signaled the SWAT team to rush the branch, subdue the man and end the hostage drill. Ironically, Strickland said the actor and a few SWAT team officers were Tennessee Valley Authority CU members.
Both Hart and Strickland said the drill showed credit union staff how to stay calm in a crisis but also provided valuable training for local law enforcement. As the drill was held during a regularly scheduled league meeting, there were no additional costs.
Hart said the entire operation started after hours and 5:30 p.m. and finished at 9 p.m. Due to the time conflict, Hart said CU employees at other branches couldn't attend. Given the success of the event and the desire to train more employees, Hart said she wants to hold the mock robbery each year.
"It was as much of a training exercise for the SWAT team as it was for us. We had so many people come in, I'd like to do it again next year. I'd do it again in a heartbeat," she said.
Tennessee Valley Authority CU serves 77,000 members with $482 million in assets.
