http://www.turnto23.com/news/local-news/school-shooting-survival-training-held-in-so-calSchool shooting survival training held in So. CalPosted: 01/09/2013
Last Updated: 1 day ago
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - Officials from Southern California colleges and schools are being trained in how to survive an attack by a campus gunman.
A two-day seminar concluded Tuesday with a simulated gunman stalking a dormitory at San Diego State University. About two dozen participants from school districts and universities in San Diego County, Los Angeles and Bakersfield, along with some police and private security personnel, took part.
They practiced barricading doors, hiding, escaping and confronting the gunman.
The seminar was planned months before December's Connecticut school massacre. In the wake of that attack, the San Diego school board on Tuesday ordered a safety review of all campuses. Staff will report back on ways to improve school safety and security in the event of attacks, fires, earthquakes or other disasters.
http://www.turnto23.com/news/local-news/csub-joins-several-southern-california-universities-in-attending-school-shooting-training-workshopCSUB joins several southern California universities in attending school shooting training workshop
CSUB attends SDSU training seminarPosted: 01/10/2013
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - Practice makes perfect. But in the case of school shootings, practice can mean the difference between life and death.
That's why San Diego State University held a training workshop to teach students and staff how to handle an on campus shooter. Public safety officials from universities all over California attended, including California State University Bakersfield officials, who traveled the farthest.
The two-day workshop was led by Response Options, a critical incident response company specializing in active shooter and violent intruder events.
Students, staff and public safety officials were taught to proactively handle violent intruder and active shooter situations using the A.L.I.C.E. program (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate).
They may need to flee, they may need to hide, but they may also need to fight," said Response Options instructor Kerry Harris. Participants learned simple tricks like throwing things at a gunman already in the room or barricading a door shut.
CSUB police chief Marty Williamson and another CSUB officer attended the workshop. Williamson said the best weapon in that situation is preparation and practice. "Infrastructure is only going to get you so far. It's the human element that will get people to survive. It's a mindset and actions taken," said Williamson.
CSUB students said they welcome any training that can give them a fighting chance.
"I think it's fabulous because in todays world we need that extra training for our safety and all the students here and faculty," said CSUB student Marissa Torrigiani.
"Our first and foremost is the safety and security of the people on our campus. They're here to get educated, not to worry about something happening," said Williamson. Williamson said CSUB regularly undergoes similar training.
