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RICHLAND COUNTY, SC -- Dangerous ordeals like the Binghamton shooting are a frightening prospect.

Thursday in Richland County, deputies trained for a similar scenario.

WACH FOX News was given an up close and personal look at how an elite local team handles a hostage situation.

Shock and awe - shaking up kidnappers during this simulated hostage situation...

It's a practice session for Richland County's Special Response Team, but the demonstration is about as real as it gets.

Sergeant Kimberly Myers says,"I felt something through my body as the flashbang went off. It was pretty scary. I've never felt like that before."

Sergeant Myers played the role of hostage for Thursday's exercise. The SRT is called in during dangerous circumstances like hostage situations.

Investigator Don Hicks, who is the SRT Leader, says,"Ultimately, we're there to help people. We're there to help them out of a bad situation. Either they've got some problem going on in their life and determine they need help, and we go and help them."

Scenarios like this one haven't played out for real in recent years, but that doesn't mean a problem won't come up.

Captain Ruben Santiago says,"Right now, people are in a depressed state of mind. We're looking at potential threats, but we've been fortunate not to deal with this."

Guns, full gear, and high tension are all part of simulated chaos that gets deputies ready for the real deal.

Investigator Hicks adds,"It's a good feeling and satisfaction knowing that we go out there and help people."

The Richland County Sheriff's Department hopes something like this never happens, but now they have what it takes to be prepared if the time comes.

Members of the Special Response Team are also serve in other roles within the Richland County Sheriff's Department.

Captain Santiago says it's an elite group of people - requiring mental alertness, teamwork, and excellent physical fitness.