Wausau, FL 9-17-11--

The marshals from Northwest Florida and Alabama who came to Friday's training exercise in Wausau started on the firing range.

Tallahassee Police Sergeant James Fairfield led the day's instruction.

"We've worked on some basic pistol skills sets just to kind of get warmed up. Then the rest of the day will involve weapon operation and team and group operation," said Fairfield.

The marshals also got a refresher on how to hold ballistic shields and where to place their weapons.

Fairfield said, on behalf of the U.S. Marshal Service, he coaches training sessions about once per month in Northwest Florida.

"There are many things that need to be done as law enforcement officers, many operations that, as an obligation to the community, we have to engage in," said Fairfield.

Whitney Joy is still new on the job. She's been a marshal for a year and said she looks forward to learning something new everyday.

"It is to keep us safe. Like when when we're entering a house, you never know what could happen. Someone could be in an attic or basement, you would never know. So you always have to be quick on your feet," said Joy.