Huntingdon residents learn tips on surviving active shooter

HUNTINGDON, Tenn. — In light of recent tragedies across the country involving active shooters, one local community is taking it upon themselves to be prepared in case something happens.

Officials say there have been nearly 200 mass shootings in the United States since the turn of the century.

Early Monday morning, police in Fort Myers, Florida, say another shooting, outside a nightclub, left at least two dead and more than a dozen others injured.

“We don’t want to live in fear, but we also just want to have a plan,” Huntingdon Special School District Director of Schools Pat Dillahunty said.

The Huntingdon Special School District hosted a public active shooter training session early Monday morning at the Dixie Carter Performing Arts Center. Officials said one of the goals of the training is to present three options during an active-shooter scenario.

“Your first option is going to be to get away and run away from the active shooter as fast as you can,” said agent Joseph Puddgins with the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. “If that doesn’t work, your second option is going to be to barricade yourself in a room, lock the door, turn out the lights, silence your cell phone [and] call 911 if you can. And if that doesn’t work, the third option is going to be to fight.”

Those attending the training said they think everyone should be prepared for the worst.

“I think it is tremendous responsibility of all of us,” Huntingdon resident Gene Burden said. “This is our community, this is our nation, and my goodness, that’s what we should be doing. We are all in it together.”

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security offers these free courses to businesses, schools, churches and other organizations.

If you would like to set up a training session, you can contact them at their local office.