NO CHANCES: Congregation Takes Active Shooter Training

A Christian congregation in New Jersey is taking no chances.

In the aftermath of Sutherland Springs, Texas, where a shooter opened fire on worshipping Christians, murdering 26 people and becoming one of the worst mass shootings in a house of worship, Bethel Church in Blackwood is now hosting seminars to educate their congregants on what to do in case of a similar scenario.

“I think that perhaps churches were something that people felt safe in and they should,” said Gloucester Township Chief of Police Harry Earle. “I think with some of the events that have happened it’s made them feel a little bit vulnerable.”

Christian pastors even traveled from out of state to attend the seminar. Pastor Joyce Warrington of Dover, Delaware, said she owed it to her congregation.

“I am very encouraged because the tools they are giving us, I can take that back home to my chief of police and I want him to start a program in our city,” she said.

The main lesson taught in the seminar, endorsed by police, is the “Run, Hide, Fight” principle. Here’s how CBS News summarized it:

Law Enforcement advised that if a deadly situation unfolds, first RUN if you can:

– Don’t let the indecision of others slow you down.

– Run away in a zig-zag pattern in order to cut down on a shooter’s accuracy.

– Once outside and safe, warn others nearby of the danger.

– Call police and be descriptive.

If you can’t run, HIDE:

– Act quickly and quietly.

– Silence your phone.

– Lock doors if able.

– Make a barricade out of furniture.

As a last resort, FIGHT:

– Act with aggression.

– Throw things at the gunman and yell.

– Improvise weapons such as scissors or a fire extinguisher.

– Commit to taking down the shooter no matter what.

– Choose to survive.

Other congregations across the country have taken similar steps to secure their followers’ safety. Fox News reported just last week of an Indiana congregation: “We’ve got to be prepared for every situation,” Ben Smith, an assistant pastor at the church and the event’s organizer, told FOX59. “We don’t know what’s going to happen.”