CPD training local businesses on surviving an active shooter

Local businesses in Columbia are teaming up with the Columbia Police Department in an effort to learn how to survive an active shooter scenario.

This comes after the massacre at a nightclub in Orlando, and recently a shooting at a teen event at a nightclub in Florida.

Local businesses reached out to the Columbia Police Department in an effort to learn more tactics.

The Columbia Police Department says they hold these training sessions whenever requests are received. Sgt. Michael Hestir told ABC 17 News, “we try to prepare citizens with survival strategies, what to look for and what they can do to keep themselves safe.”

Sgt. Hestir says the Columbia Police Department has been hosting these scenarios for about five years, and has been very successful. One of the techniques they teach you is, “if one of these events unfolds, if you’re far away from danger you run away, but if someone is right there in your face, you must fight back.”

The Columbia Police Department says any business, church or school can contact the Community Outreach Division, if you’re interested in holding a similar event. The training lasts for about an hour to an hour and a half, and is free.