Central Queensland's emergency services have carried out a mock exercise to learn how to respond to a shooter on campus and mass casualties.

The exercise played out at CQ University's Rockhampton campus; the scenario involved a fake gunman storming a building, and shooting and killing a number of students.

First to respond during the operation was Queensland Police, who quickly secured the scene.

Inspector Adam Muir said training exercises were vital.

"It's unbelievably important, we have commanders acting in higher positions," he said.

"For them to gain this experience today it's an excellent opportunity for us to partake in.

"[It's] very important for them to go and practice their skills and think about these jobs before they transpire."

First to respond during the operation was the Queensland Police Service. ( ABC News: Jonathan Hair )

Ambulance officers, flanked by paramedic students from the university, then moved in to treat the 22 wounded.

"Multi-casualty is something that [paramedics] do regularly," Acting Chief Superintendent Warren Kellett said.

"Whether it's a simple motor vehicle accident which encompasses three or four patients, up to these large-scale events.

"So training, and getting yourself ready for that is very important," he said.

The students involved are in their third year of a degree in paramedic science, and will soon graduate.

Their course manager Laura Baxter said it is important for them to gain experience alongside real officers.

"It's very important that our students have the opportunity to take part in these exercises," she said.

"This unfortunately is a real life situation that may occur at any time.

"So we need to prepare our students for any eventuality."