Local child care providers had the chance to gain ‘hands on experience’ to prepare for a scary situation on Saturday afternoon. 

It was all part of the Institute for Childhood Preparedness‘s Active Shooter Training.The course is designed to provide information to educate child care professionals on effective response strategies during an active shooter situation.

The event was hosted by Connect Child Care Resource & Referral Group.

It is a drill many hope never becomes a reality, but for local child care workers, its a lesson plan crucial to ensuring the safety of the kids they vow to protect.

“I feel better prepared,” said Janice Pauley who works for Momma Bear Child Care. “You can never be too careful and this helps to get a hands on experience of that action and steps we need to know.” 

Andrew Roszak is the President of the Insitute for Childhood Prepardness. He travels around the country teaching training to childcare providers. His classes focus on preparing for those that work in daycares of nursey school programs that cater to young children. 

“We’re talking about the youngest of the young,” Roszak told 13 News. “The plan for these young kids and their care givers is very different than when you are dealing with older kids or teens.” 

Roszak provided tools and techniques. Saturday’s program also included hands-on experiences with practice barracading doors to keep students safe and a possible gunman out. 

“It’s all about providing the tools and techniques to prepare these people… but when the rubber meets the road they will be prepared and they can take what they learned back to their centers and protect the lives that really matter.”