Would you know what to do in an active shooter attack to maximize your chances of survival and to help save lives?
Upper Makefield wants to help residents to be able to answer that question in the affirmative.
At the March 19 board of supervisors meeting, resident Jack Wiseman approached supervisors about holding an event for residents in which a state trooper would provide instruction on how to best handle a life-threatening attack in a public space involving an active shooter.
While students may receive such instruction, it isn’t as readily delivered for and accessible to adults, Wiseman said.
The forum in Upper Makefield would change that, said Wiseman, noting an active shooter instruction event he attended through his local church, St. Martin of Tours, brought in about 200 people.
Wiseman said that the tips and strategies learned could be critical to saving lives in the tragic event a shooting were to occur.
“This will help teach adults what to do,” he said.
Supervisors expressed support for holding the instruction locally.
Supervisor Diana Nolan, with whom Wiseman had previously discussed the idea, noted that the active shooter instruction doesn’t focus on gun control issues, but rather the practicalities of how to act in a “terroristic shooting.”
“It’s self-defense that can help save lives,” Nolan said.
Currently, the plan is to hold the instruction forum on May 15 starting at 7 p.m. An exact location is to be determined, but officials mentioned Sol Feinstone Elementary School as a possible spot.
Officials said the state police conduct the instruction for free and there would likely be no monetary cost to the township for supporting the event.
