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Workers at Anna Facility Undergo Active Shooter Training

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Brad Palmer, WSIU Radio

Schools aren't the only institutions concerned about mass shootings.

Many churches and businesses are offering employees and volunteers active shooter training.
The Fellowship House, an alcohol and drug rehabilitation facility in Anna, recently welcomed a deputy with the Union County Sheriff's Department for a session.

Deputy Eric Ralls is a certified active shooter trainer. He says part of his message is that unarmed people can't just sit back and become victims, they must fight back against the shooter.
 
"Throwing objects, making movement, distraction. You're giving yourself the opportunity to save your own life and to save the lives of the other people that are in that room with you."

Fellowship House CEO Mickey Finch says shootings can happen anywhere, and a facility like hers is no different.
 
"Whether it's disgruntled ex-employees or their spouses, or whether it's patients who come in disgruntled for whatever reason, or ex-patients usually, then you want to know who's here, you want to know that you can lock down the facility if you need to."
 
Finch says the training offered her and her staff plenty of things to think about in terms of ways to better secure their building, which is staffed 24 hours a day/seven days a week.

 

As a news producer and news anchor on All Things Considered, Brad provides the listeners with a recap of the day's top local and state news as well as breaking news at any given time. Contact WSIU Radio at 618-453-6101 or email wsiunews@wsiu.org
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