Preparing churches for active shooter scenario

The Charleston church shooting and others like it have raised the question for places of worship about what they would do in the event of an active shooter. Tuesday at Harvest Baptist Church the Eastern Baptist Association came in to discuss what they should do in that scenario.    

Reid Sterrett, with Eastern Baptist Association said most pastors and churches get bogged down with other responsibilities, so doing things like planning for an active shooter gets put on the back burner.

Sterrett adds that preparing for those scenarios aren't things that pastors are taught while they receive their education.

"These pastors who are seminary graduates wouldn't have received this type of training in seminary., so it's a unique threat and requires a unique training," Sterett said.

Sterrett said Eastern Baptist Association will come to your church for a fee and help you come up with an active shooter plan which includes looking at the buildings current safety features and highlighting any areas of concern. 

Sterrett said even if you don't decide to contact them  they still encourage folks to have that tough conversation about what they would do in an active shooter scenario.

The Eastern Baptist Association will be at First Baptist Church in Easton Tuesday Jan. 13. 

More information can be found here.