All 30,000 state employees in Mississippi will soon be trained on how to react a workplace shooting scenario. That's according to an executive order signed by Governor Phil Bryant this week. MPB's Mark Rigsby reports.
Governor Bryant's order says all state employees must receive active shooter training to maintain a safer working environment. It also says workplace shootings have increased in recent years, are unpredictable, and can progress rapidly. Chad Winkler is a firearms instructor and active shooter trainer at Boondocks Firearms Training Academy in Raymond.
"There's a lot of information out there that's been changing over the last five to 10 years about active shooter training in the way that people are trained to address those situations. I think getting that information out to the public is a good thing."
Winkler says the classic strategy of locking down a building or facility, like many public schools, colleges, and universities do, may not always be the best response to an active shooter. He recommends having a workplace shooting safety plan in place. But he says the best thing is to do, if you're ever faced with that situation, is to get out of the building.
"That makes it easier for law enforcement to respond. They don't have to deal with hundreds of people in the building. If you can clear that building out, they're only looking for the active shooter. There are less targets for the active shooter to shoot at. It becomes a situation where getting out is the best option. The worst option is to do nothing."
The online workplace shooter safety course for state employees is currently on the Mississippi State Personnel Board's website, and can be viewed by the public. In his order, Governor Bryant says state employees must complete the training by June 1st.
