Avoid. Deny. Defend.

What you do matters during active attack events.

This was the message three dozen people learned recently during the first Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events class, held at the Nesquehoning Borough Hall.

The course was led by Nesquehoning police Chief Michael Weaver and Carbon County Sheriff Daniel Zeigler, two certified instructors for the class.

“Several chiefs in the county have taken this online certification training to offer this to the community,” Zeigler said. “It really covers what somebody should do in one of these kinds of instances.”

He added that the course aims to look at the psychology behind some of the types of active attacks, not just shooters, but any attacks that aim to take human lives.

“We’re going to provide all participants with some options of what they should do or could to in an event and then what police do when they roll in because we think it is important to show people what police officers go through.”

Weaver continued that this civilian training is an important component to a recent active shooter training police officers went through because it provides further education for a comprehensive response to a dangerous situation.

“It’s important that we’re kind of all on the same page,” he said. “If civilians know what to expect and what we’re going to be doing, then we can make for a smoother process.

“It’s not if it happens, it is when it happens,” Weaver added.

Weaver and Zeigler added that active shooter or attack events will happen anywhere at any time and stressed that knowing how to respond and what to expect in a police response, could make all the difference in saving lives.

During the class, the pair covered several scenarios, as well as spoke about ways to help while staying safe.

This includes determining what level of participation you would be during an emergency - just hide and hope; deliberate on how to defend or actively participate in defending yourself against the attacker.

Zeigler said there are three things civilians could do to help themselves - avoid the attacker, deny access to your location and defend your space.

“Be aware of your surroundings,” Zeigler said, adding that in an active attack situation, you need to know what is around you, what could be used as a weapon, how to get out of the location you are in and how to conceal yourself if there is no way out.

“What you do matters,” he said, saying that can be as simple as locking or blocking a door, turning off the lights and getting out of sight.

If a door opens outward, use a belt or rope to hold the door shut.

Also, look around for what is available to use as a weapon, and learn to be aware of your surroundings so that when you enter a room, you find the exits in case something happens.

“Grab anything because you have a legal right to defend yourself if someone is trying to kill you,” Zeigler said.

The pair said that taking self-defense courses, or a gun safety course could also help increase your preparations.

Once police arrive, Weaver stressed that everyone should follow the police commands, show your hands and don’t move until instructed to do so.

“The police are there to stop the killing then stop the dying,” Zeigler said.

The course ended with Zeigler and Weaver showing tactical gear that police use in emergency responses to these types of events and noted that this course will be held in any municipality or school that requests it.