City Employees In Laurel Get Active Shooter Training

LAUREL, Md. (WJZ) -- A sign of the times. City employees in Laurel get training on what to do in the event of an active shooter.

Pat Warren reports it's a new skill set.

Active shooter training in the workplace may eventually be as common as fire drills.

It wasn't San Bernardino, but Columbia Mall where a shooter opened fire nearly two years ago, killing two people.

Shoppers in the mall that fateful day know firsthand what the office workers in San Bernardino learned December 2--it can happen anywhere.

"There's no way to guarantee that just because you live in a very safe community, that you are 100 percent safe," said Officer Sean Fabel, Laurel Police Department.

"You try not to think it can happen to you, but it's nice to be prepared," said Bonny Ducote, Laurel city employee.

So it was training day for Laurel city employees.

"Some people will have the reaction where they'll freeze," said Ofc. Fabel.

Don't freeze. Homeland Security protocol says run, hide or fight.

And if you can't get out, hide--remembering your phone is a dead giveaway.

"Make sure you shut your cell phones off because, people, once they start hearing there's an active shooter at the city of Laurel, everyone you know is going to be calling you, texting you," said Fabel.

And always be aware.

"Not only in the workplace, but just if you're at the mall shopping with your family, that you're paying attention to exits, that you're paying attention to different areas where you could possibly hide or where you could get out of a building if something were to happen--not just an active shooter, but a fire," said Fabel.

Making response second nature can be a life-saver.

This was the last of three training sessions for Laurel employees.

This is the industry standard for active shooter training.