Recent events of mass shootings in public places, from concert venues to churches have many praying that they may never find themselves in such a life and death situation.

To help prepare people in the event of a shooting at a house of worship, the Carbon County Emergency Management Agency and the United States Department of Homeland Security are presenting a seminar on active shooter incidents at places of worship from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on March 31 in the Jim Thorpe Area High School auditorium.

“These types of incidents are increasing in numbers nationwide,” said Mark Nalesnik, Carbon County EMA coordinator. “It could happen anytime, anywhere.”

Last month, two people were killed when a gunman entered a church in Texas and began shooting before he was shot and killed, while another mass casualty occurred in October 2018, when a gunman walked into a Pittsburgh synagogue and opened fire, killing 11 and injuring six others.

Nalesnik said that houses of worship need to plan and prepare for incidents of this nature and a seminar such as this will help church leaders learn what they can do to protect their congregations.

Topics that will be covered include protective measures and active shooter preparedness.

Those who are invited to the seminar include all church leadership personnel, church security committee members, law enforcement agencies. The public is also invited to attend if seating is still available.

To register for the seminar, call the EMA office at 570-325-3097 or email ccema@ptd.net.