What to do when you’re the target

Catholic Charities Sallisaw is offering something it hopes no one will ever need, but for which they will be thankful should they need it.

It’s something no one ever used to think about.

It’s something you can’t predict. It’s something that happens way too often these days.

It’s something no one wants to experience.

It’s an active shooter.

In schools. In businesses. Anywhere where people die in a mass shooting.

That’s why a civilian active-threat training program — “Run, Hide, Fight” — is being offered 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Sallisaw High School gymnasium. During the free presentation, participants will learn to run or evacuate when possible, hide or shelter in place, or fight if there are no other options.

“This is such a topic that people are very concerned about, and they don’t really know what to do,” acknowledges MaryLynn Lufkin, director of Disaster Outreach for Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma. “So this will give them an idea of what to do.

“It’s very beneficial, and I think people come away feeling like they’ve got at least an idea of what to do in case this happens in their agency or their place of business or their school, whatever it might be.”

The program is presented by the Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security. David Culver, coordinator of Active Threat Programs, and Col. Hiram Tabler (U.S.

Army, retired), director of Homeland Security, will present the active shooter training.

“In our diocese, which includes 31 counties, we do preparedness programs,” Lufkin explains. “This is another way to help people be better prepared, because the active shooter, unfortunately, is becoming more prevalent.

“Originally, we were just gonna invite the pastors’ fellowship. But the more I thought about it — this is such a good program — that’s why we expanded it to the whole county, and even beyond. Anybody’s welcome.”

The program is geared toward the civilian population as opposed to law enforcement, because those agencies already receive specialized training.

“They’re first responders, so they’ve got a different agenda, but I’m sure they’re gonna be glad this is being given for other people so that they can learn how to protect themselves,” Lufkin says.

Pam Wemhaner, manager for Catholic Charities Sallisaw, also encourages school students to attend.

“How many times have there been school shootings?” she asks, rhetorically. “We would certainly welcome anybody that comes,” but wants to limit the number of young children to avoid distractions during the presentation.

Wemhaner has invited attendance from several organizations, all county schools, Indian Capital Technology Center and Carl Albert State College, as well as the Sallisaw Chamber of Commerce.

“We originally started with the Parrish hall, and thought, we need to make it available to everyone,” Lufkin says. “So Pam was able to get the high school gym. So this is going allow as many people who wanna come to come and be able to participate and learn from them.

“They’ll have a better idea of how to protect themselves and others.”

How many will attend Tuesday’s presentation? “We’re hoping hundreds,” Wemhaner says.

Another mission of Catholic Charities is providing disaster response and preparedness “for tornadoes and floods, anything like that.”

Lufkin recommends anyone needing information about disaster preparedness call Catholic Charities at 918-9352650.