Homeland Security, Health Agencies Pair For Active Shooter Training

Indiana’s Department of Homeland Security is working with several health providers in Northeast Indiana to develop effective active shooter training and strategies, and how to best present them to the public.

The active shooter training consisted of two segments: run, hide, fight and stop the bleed.

A representative from Homeland Security walked spectators through an active shooter event. He noted that looking for exits, effective hiding places and objects that may potentially counter a shooter are ways to be proactive should an event take place.

Officials from Lutheran Health Network were also on hand to instruct attendees on the proper ways to slow bleeding and apply a tourniquet.

While the training event was planned before the recent shooting at the Capital Gazette in Annapolis, Maryland, Allen County Health Commissioner Dr. Deb McMahan used the shooting at as an example of why this information is necessary to public health.

“I think everybody needs to be prepared, just like we’ve been using seatbelts, we call 911, we know CPR, we know all of these things,” McMahan said. “We need to be equipped for the 21st Century so we can respond effectively.”

The Allen County Health Department also recommends texting information to 911 in a situation where it’s unsafe to make a call. More of these training events are being planned in Allen County; the Poe Fire Station will hold a “stop the bleed” event on Sunday, July 15 at 3 p.m. You can register here.