Parishioners learn what to do in active shooting situation

It’s something few will ever experience.

But it does happen and it’s better to be prepared, said former Tamaqua Chief of Police Rich Weaver.

Weaver and his brother, Ty, a security specialist, were the main speakers Saturday during a program on how to prepare, react and survive if someone with a gun enters the building in which you’re located and begins firing.

It’s happened at schools, malls, office buildings and even churches.

“Things have certainly changed in our society and we’ve got to be ready,” said Weaver, addressing the approximately 75 people who attended the active shooter safety seminar.

The event was held at Trinity United Church of Christ in Tamaqua and was coordinated by Bob Davis, a retired state trooper who heads the church’s safety and security committee.

Although the Weaver brothers described steps that could be taken to make the church less prone to an active shooting event, they stressed the information they shared would be true for any active shooting situation.

He urged that members “be aware of their environment and possible danger.” He said if someone appears suspicious, or is coping with a stressful situation, advise the pastor and others to be wary of that individual.

If a shooting does begin and you’re in an office, “secure the room and lock the office,” he said. If you’re in a hallway, try to get inside an office.

When in a room, do more than lock the door. Prop something against it, he said. This is because in most cases, shooting is random and the perpetrators will avoid spending time trying to force open such sites.

Other advice from Weaver was to get to the closest safe exit, don’t stop to help wounded individuals and “if possible, try to take the shooter down.” He stressed that the latter option isn’t good for everyone.

“The first thing you need to do is run,” he said.

When leaving the building, he said, keep your hands visible at all times. This is especially true in the presence of police. He said people should raise their hands and spread their fingers to show they have no weapons.

When law enforcement arrives, he said, “remain calm and follow the officer’s instructions.”

Ty Weaver, who has been in the weapons and training industry for 23 years, said he has trained tactical and SWAT teams around the world. He does active shooting training for law enforcement.

“A lot of these shooters are under psychotropic drugs,” he said.

Ty said no two situations are the same. He said, “You must have a survival mindset. When something happens, you have to step up to the plate. You must have the mindset, ‘I’m going to get through this. I’m going to survive.’”

He told of the importance of an “emergency action plan” in which individuals will be assigned specific duties. He said those involved with emergency planning must designate medical positions on their team.

Shooters usually are looking for attention.

If you opt to fight, you can use a cell phone, camera or hymn book, he said.

He urged that churches work closely with police departments, fire departments and ambulance corps and familiarize them with the layout of the building, noting that if someone is injured in a specific location that the emergency personnel must know how to get to that location.

In the planning process, know who’s on your team, he said. As an example, he said make sure somebody isn’t on your team who has been committed to a psychiatric hospital three or four times or is under the influence of psychotropic drugs.

He said, “You’re never going to have a perfect plan. Things will never work out the way you want them to. But you have to stay proactive.”

Also speaking was Trooper Michael Blasé of the Frackville barracks of the state police, who explained the protocol of the state police for responding to shooting situations.

Other police officers who attended included Mike Weaver (not related to Rich or Ty) of the Tamaqua Police Department and Fred Lahovski of the Rush Township Police Department.

Rev. Darryl Kensinger, pastor of the church, also offered remarks. He read from the Bible Proverbs 11:14 which states:

“Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.”