Public Safety Scenario Actor Volunteer Pool
Organization:
Volunteer Garland – City of Garland
About the Opportunity:
Volunteer Garland is working to help support future public safety and emergency response training exercises by building a trusted pool of volunteer scenario actors.
These volunteers may assist Garland public safety personnel during realistic training scenarios designed to help first responders prepare for emergency situations in controlled training environments.
Scenario actors help create realism, movement, decision-making pressure, and environmental complexity that improves the quality of training for law enforcement and emergency personnel.
This opportunity is intended for mature, dependable volunteers who understand the importance of professionalism, discretion, and following directions in structured training environments.
Potential Training Scenarios May Include:
Active shooter response exercises
Building evacuation simulations
Emergency response drills
Crowd movement and bystander scenarios
Vehicle stop/takedown simulations
Victim/witness role-playing
Disaster and emergency management exercises
Volunteer Roles May Include:
Civilians/bystanders
Witnesses
Evacuees
Injured victims
Panicked civilians
Optional suspect/aggressor roles during select training exercises
No acting experience is required. Public safety personnel and Volunteer Garland staff will provide instructions prior to all scenarios.
Important Expectations:
Volunteers must be able to follow directions quickly and professionally.
Volunteers must maintain discretion regarding training activities, tactics, personnel, and locations.
Photography, video recording, livestreaming, or sharing sensitive training details may be prohibited during exercises.
Scenario volunteers are present to support training realism and public safety preparedness.
Some scenarios may involve loud noises, emergency vehicles, tactical equipment, simulated injuries, stress-based environments, and physical movement.
Volunteers should be comfortable walking, standing for extended periods, using stairs, and occasionally getting up/down from the ground during simulations.
All volunteers must wear Volunteer Garland safety vests during check-in, staging, and non-active training periods unless otherwise instructed by staff.
Optional Marking Round Participation:
Some advanced training scenarios may involve volunteers serving as simulated aggressors during controlled exercises using non-lethal marking/training rounds.
Important:
Participation in these roles is completely voluntary.
Marking rounds can cause pain, bruising, welts, and damage to clothing.
Clothing may become permanently stained or damaged.
Volunteers participating in these scenarios must wear heavy, layered clothing.
Protective equipment may be required and/or provided depending on the exercise.
Volunteers are encouraged to bring additional protective sports gear if desired, including:
Paintball padding
Compression layers
Padded shirts
Protective gloves
Athletic cups/protection
Mouthguards
Other non-metal protective sports equipment
Volunteer Garland and participating public safety agencies are not responsible for damaged clothing or discomfort resulting from voluntary participation in approved training exercises.
Background Screening & Selection:
Because these opportunities may involve sensitive training environments:
Volunteers must be willing to undergo background screening if requested.
Participation is not guaranteed.
Some exercises may require additional approval, screening, waivers, or age restrictions depending on the nature of the training.
Age Requirements:
Adults 18+ preferred
Select opportunities may allow mature high school students (16+). Please put age when you register.
Scheduling:
Training opportunities may occur periodically throughout the year, potentially including quarterly exercises, evening drills, weekend trainings, or special event scenarios.
Volunteers enrolled in this pool may receive private invitations to future training opportunities.
Confidentiality & Professionalism:
Scenario actors may be exposed to sensitive operational environments or training methods. Volunteers selected for participation are expected to conduct themselves professionally and avoid publicly discussing operational details, tactics, or sensitive information observed during exercises.
Why This Matters:
High-quality training helps first responders prepare for real emergencies before they happen. Scenario volunteers play an important role in helping public safety personnel train more effectively, safely, and realistically.
Questions:
Volunteer Garland
Volunteer@GarlandTX.gov
972-205-3583
