YARMOUTH – Following another mass shooting in the United States, Yarmouth Police are encouraging the community to attend an Active Shooter training class next week.
The free class teaches participants how to report suspicious activity and the actions that should be taken during an active killer situation, including the concept of Run. Hide. Fight.
“We need to be smart. We need to be prepared,” said Deputy Chief Steven Xiarhos. “It can happen anywhere at any time.”
Xiarhos said the department believes in being prepared and that is why it hosts these classes.
Part of the training revolves around the basic concept of See Something. Say Something.
“If you see something somewhere in the public that doesn’t look right report it immediately,” Xiarhos said. “Be aware of your surroundings.”
Individuals who find themselves in a situation with an active killer should first try to flee.
“You’ve got to get out of there wherever you are, if you can,” Xiarhos said. “Get out. Avoid it. Get away.”
People who cannot safely run from the situation should try to hide.
“It’s not just hiding in a room, but it is hiding and securing that room,” he said.
People should try to lock and barricade doors and windows with large furniture if possible and be as quiet as possible.
“If that doesn’t work and the actual killer is in your room or in your space you have to fight back,” Xiarhos said. “You can’t just sit and hope and pray. In the real world when someone is trying to kill you, you have to fight back.”
This is the fifth time the department has hosted this type of training for the community.
“We saw this coming years ago,” Xiarhos said. “We do the best we can not only to prepare and train our police officers, but part of that team concept is the public. Let’s educate the public.”
The free training class is open to the public and will be held at the Yarmouth Police Headquarters Wednesday, November 14 at 6 p.m.
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