Training for the best chances of maximum survival during mass shooting events has become an unfortunate necessity even before the events at Stoneman Douglas High, and emergency responders and schools in California have been aware of this trend, reports The Times-Herald News.
Using the national guidelines of Run-Hide-Fight, schools throughout the state have been proceeding with pre-scheduled active shooter situation training for school staff, conducting drills twice a year, as well as promoting mental health resources and encouraging anonymous reporting for “if you see something, say something”, Napa district spokeswoman Elizabeth Emmett told The Times-Herald News.
Training with SWAT and tactical response, paging system upgrades and on-site defibrillators are part of the Vallejo district’s safety measures. “Having two high school age children, I think these drills are a good idea,” Vallejo Police Chief Andrew Bidou said to The Times Herald. “We have earthquake and fire drills and they each happen far more infrequently than tragic school shooting incidents. We will work with any school that requests our service.” The Vallejo police have a hybrid training design for active shooter/workplace violence training.
The Benicia School District has regularly updated safety plans and drills based on ALICE — Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate, as well as safety training for site administrators, says Superintendent Charles Young.
“Any training your school, company, corporation or office can get, is good,” American Canyon Police Chief Oscar Ortiz told The Times-Herald News. “You pay now or you pay later.”
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