BLAINE, Wash. – Responders who talk people down during crisis situations gathered in Whatcom County this month for training to improve their craft.
The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Department Crisis Negotiation Team hosted the Western States Hostage Negotiators’ Association’s 36th annual training seminar.
About 300 professionals from agencies in six states took part in the event at Semiahmoo Resort in Blaine.
Exercises focused on hostage negotiation, de-escalation techniques and saving lives.
Attendees took part in raffles that raised $6,000 for the event’s designated charity, foster care non-profit Skookum Kids.