Connecticut State Police are working with religious institutions to address concerns about what to do in an active shooter situation.
State police have had a program discussing safety during active shooter events in place since 2004. Last year religious institutions began requesting a program specifically touching on their unique aspects.
State police brought the information to a gathering of religious leaders at the Somers Congregational Church in Somers Monday night.
“We just want to make our church as safe as possible,” said Ellington Wesleyan Church Pastor Mike Voit.
About 100 people from several area churches filled the pews Tuesday night.
“It's all precaution, being prepared and hoping you never get to the point where you say boy I wish we had done something differently,” explained Somers Congregational Church Council Member Mark Marschall.
A shooting at a Texas church last year that killed 26 people left a lot of congregations wondering what to do. So Somers Congregational Church reached out to Connecticut State Police about the program that focuses on active shooter events at houses of worship.
Local
“We practice fire drills on an ongoing basis and everyone responds appropriately we have to get to the point where we're responding to something like this as quickly and efficiently as possible and it all has to do with the planning and preparation,” said Lt. Robert Palmer, the State Police Training Academy’s commanding officer.
State police discussed the importance of coming up with a plan and reviewing it every year or two, to be familiar with the building and know where the exits are. When calling 911 in the case of an active shooter, State police say it’s critical to tell the dispatcher the exact location of the shooter if you know it.
Police also stressed the importance of knowing when and how to run, fight, or hide.
Those attending the presentation told NBC Connecticut it’s given them a lot of think about and a good start to a larger discussion for their own specific churches.
“We just need to have a better plan in place now it's unfortunate, but it's the reality that we're facing,” Voit said.
State police said they are giving at least two of the presentations at religious institutions per month, and that they’re not trying to scare anyone, they’re just trying to inform and hopefully empower people to think about things a little differently.
