The Nashville Police Department's rapid and effective response saved countless lives when a shooter opened fire at the Covenant School in Nashville on Monday. Tragically, the shooter killed three adults and three children and injured several others.

Effective armed interventions by police do not happen by accident. They require training and planning to ensure a positive outcome.

Following the Columbine High School shooting in 1999, law enforcement devised school shooter scenarios, which have changed and evolved over time. As a result, officers in this incident were well prepared to take action. The Nashville Police Department had a well-coordinated response strategy in place.

It bears noting that the overall police response was supported by a strong organizational command and control structure. An effective communication system generated and sustained the response. Officers could communicate promptly with one another and with the command center, enabling them to share information and organize their response in real time. This doesn't always happen. Moreover, the officers of the Nashville Police Department should be applauded for their incident response and professionalism under fire. They showed immense courage in maximizing speed and bold action to save lives.

We need to take the lessons learned here and replicate them nationwide.

For one, this incident underscores the need for funding police training. Regular training is essential for police personnel to be effectively prepared for active shooter scenarios. Classroom education, as well as practical exercises, should be included. Training should also include guidance on how to respond to various types of active shooter situations, such as workplace violence.

Police training funds are also necessary for the acquisition of the equipment. To respond to active shooter scenarios, police personnel must have the right equipment. High-power weapons, ballistic shields, and helmets should all be part of the gear. While there is a segment of the population telling us to "demilitarize" the police, this is a proof positive example that the opposite is true. Indeed, in this case, some of the officers appeared more lightly armed and equipped than would have been ideal. Their courage and skill made up for it, but equipment does matter. The bottom line is that you need the necessary tools for the particular mission.

Top line: Police training is not merely a line item that can be slashed in budgets to reduce costs. It is a necessary part of public safety protection. And, as here, it helps prevent further loss of life.

David J. Terestre served as a sergeant with the Metropolitan Police Department and is a nationally published author on public safety and policing issues.