Shooting incidents are on the rise, but Carroll and Kuemper schools are getting ahead of the problem through active shooter training for their employees, and last night, to some of the student’s parents. Carroll County Lieutenant Deputy, Tom Fransen, and the Carroll Police Department’s Sgt. Gary Bellinghausen presented some of the training to parents on Tuesday night. Bellinghausen sees this training as critical to saving lives.
Parents did not receive any of the hands on training that teachers did, but Fransen says knowledge is sometimes enough. They use the ALICE method in their seminar, which stands for alert, lockdown, inform, counter and evacuate. He says there is no set of rules for dealing with an active shooter.
Fransen acknowledges that the training can sometimes be intense, but he told parents that is what it takes to keep a school secure.
Parents in attendance were impressed with the seminar and asked what training the students would receive. Both CCSD Superintendent, Rob Cordes, and Kuemper President, John Steffes, are looking for input from parents on how their children should be involved in this training. The Carroll County Sheriff’s Office and Carroll Police Department also provide active training services for local business and organizations at no cost. To arrange a session, contact Carroll County Emergency Management Agency Coordinator, Sara Anderson by phone at 712-830-7582 or email through the address included with this story below.
