Teachers, Staff Train With Police For Active Shooters At Penn Trafford HS

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – We're seeing these drills more and more, first responders preparing for an active shooter on school grounds.

But what's becoming more common now, is to include teachers and staff in the training.

With the first shot, the drill began. A teacher laid injured on the ground while police stormed the cafeteria.

Thankfully it's just a drill at Penn Trafford High School, but Penn Township Police Chief John Otto says if it was real, he wants the people on the frontlines prepared just as much as the responders.

"When it comes to an active shooter situation, the only way to be prepared is to get the education and actually practice with the people that are going to be involved," he said.

Over the past couple of years, similar training has played out in school hallways. Teachers and staff members, like the custodial and cafeteria staff, are getting more involved, since they are the first lines of defense.

"We have an idea in our heads, but you never truly never know how you're going to feel until it happens," a staff member said.

"It's definitely scary, but it's something that we need to be prepared for," another added.

And Friday the training was as real as it gets. Police, medics and staff role played through the shooter entering the school, the injuries, evacuations and aftermath.

As scary as it was for some teachers, police say the training is unfortunately now necessary.

"We have seen these critical incidents play out across the country," Otto said. "We know that teachers will step up in a time of need to protect our students and what I want to do is give them the training the resources the ideas they need to do that as best they can."

Otto says, while this is the first time they've trained with teachers, it certainly won't be the last.

You May Also Be Interested In These Latest News Stories

Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page
Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter