Active Shooter Response Training Offered to Centre County Places of Worship

After hearing about the need for some time, the South Central Mountain Regional Task Force has announced an August training session on how places of worship can respond to active shooters.

Centre County Task Force coordinator Jeff Wharran made the announcement about the training at the Centre County Board of Commissioners meeting July 10. He said the training, which is for clergy and members of any house of worship, will include information on how to properly prepare for an active shooter event.

“Through Protective Services of Homeland Security, a gentleman who does an outstanding job of presentations will make a presentation in Centre County on houses of worship active shooter response training,’ said Wharran. ‘This is something that a lot of the local churches have reached out and asked us about.”

The three-hour presentation, ‘Active Shooter: Preparation and Response,’ will provide information based on the Department of Homeland Security’s best practices tailored for houses of worship or other open venues. According to the Wharran, the training will discuss the personalities that perpetrate these attacks to potentially identify and curtail them, individual and organizational preparation, response, recovery and other reference resources. 

Along with a DHS presenter, members of local law enforcement will describe their response to these and other serious events. They also will provide ideas on how area organization’s can assemble emergency response committees and they will give information on conducting security site assessments, which can identify areas of vulnerability and potential risks.

Two sessions will be held Friday, Aug. 17, at the Centre Life Link office on Puddintown Road in College Township. Wharran anticipates the sessions will fill up quickly, so those interested in participating should register early at www.scmrtf.org. Locate the course under the Events calendar.

Wharran said another class may be offered in October if there is still a need.