Nov 12, 2024 By Mike Jones 3 min read

It’s a topic that most people probably don’t want to contemplate, but the frequency of mass shootings in public places has prompted various police agencies in the region to team up for an educational seminar that gives tools and advice to organizations on how best to prepare.

Pennsylvania State Police organized the “active shooting community educational night” from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. today to connect experts on the issue with local organizations and leaders. The event will be held inside the North Strabane Fire Department at 1032 Route 519 in Eighty Four, with the doors opening at 6 p.m.

The event is free to the public and open to a wide range of entities, such as schools, businesses, gyms and religious institutions, along with community members, families and local leaders

“It kind of goes over everything that is offered,” said Washington County sheriff’s Deputy Elizabeth Davidson, who serves as one of her department’s ALICE instructors. “What is the appropriate fit for your organization? Or are you just a person who wants to learn more about (the issue)?”

State police are being joined at tonight’s seminar by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, North Strabane police, South Strabane police and the FBI in an event that is being described as a way for people to find resources and better understand the topic.

Davidson said the various law enforcement agencies at the local, county, state and federal levels have different expertise and training options available, so getting all of them together for one night will give the community more diverse feedback.

“It’s going to be more of a table and chair situation where different agencies offer different programs and how you can access it,” Davidson said. “If you want to have active shooter training at your church, how do you access it?”

Davidson said it is a difficult topic to approach, so she thinks the “wealth of experts” who will be available tonight will help give people meaningful information. She said it’s often a delicate discussion when she performs ALICE training, which is one version of training on how to respond to an active shooter situation, when discussing the possibility with people who never thought they might be in such a situation.

“When you signed up to be a teacher, you probably didn’t think you’d have to do this,” Davidson said of how she usually approaches the topic. “But we have to be prepared for it, train for it. Hopefully it never happens, but you at least know what to do or what resources are available.

She credited state police Trooper Rocco Gagliardi for organizing tonight’s event and getting the different police agencies involved.

“I love what he did,” Davidson said. “I think it’s a great thing for the community because a lot of people don’t know what’s available out there. My hope is the community turns out because this is a subject that everybody is talking about.”