SHELBY COUNTY, Tenn. — What would you do if someone opened fire at your workplace or school or a public event? Would you run, hide, fight back?
Those are some of the questions the FBI is helping people answer, but the training it’s offering is only available to county employees for now.
The Shelby County Office of Preparedness has offered workplace hazard training before, but this week the office is working with the FBI to offer specialized training to county employees on what to do in a mass shooting event.
“It’s a training program that emphasizes the importance of fighting if you can, running or hiding,” Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell explained.
It is training Luttrell said will also be available to businesses, churches and individuals.
“If a person is interested in getting involved in the training, we’ll find a way to get them involved. We may invite them to come get some training with other folks.”
Some people who are already interested in that public training are owners on Beale Street. The general manager of Blues City Cafe wants it for his staff.
“With the number of people coming onto Beale Street, the more prepared you are for anything, the better,” Jeff Goss said.
Dale Lane with the Office of Preparedness said he hopes everyone takes advantage of the training and it helps them feel just a little more secure.
“Knowledge is power, and if people have the knowledge ahead of time, we can walk around with a confidence, not cockiness, but a confidence that we’ve done all we can to prepare.”
The training is an hour and a half long and is being offered free.
The Office of Preparedness plans on offering public classes during the first couple of weeks of January. If you are interested, call 222-6700.