Mass shootings and reports of active shooters seem to be much more common in recent years.
According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been 105 mass shooting incidents in 2016. A mass shooting is defined as a situation in which four or more people are shot and/or killed in a single event [incident], at the same general time and location.
The Muskogee Police Department is leading the way in Green County to offer training for what to do if that unthinkable situation happens.
Officer Lincoln Anderson said personnel first received training for how law enforcement should respond to an active shooter and then learned civilian training.
Now, each time a mass shooting is in the headlines, requests from businesses and community groups pour in with people wanting to learn how to react.
"It could happen anyplace, anytime, anywhere," Anderson said.
The first few seconds of an active shooter situation can determine whether a person will be among the victims or survivors, he said.
The Muskogee Police Department uses the A.D.D. training method – Avoid, Deny and Defend.
"If you're prepared your chances of surviving are astronomically higher."
AVOID
This part of the training is about more than just running away. It's about knowing where the exits are ahead of time and visualizing how to get out and get away from the danger.
DENY
This part of the training refers to doing whatever possible to deny the shooter an opportunity to actually make his or her way to you. That means doing whatever you can to barricade doors, silence phones and turn off lights,
"Consciously decide it's time to defend my life and I'm going to do whatever I have to to survive," Anderson said.
DEFEND
The last step basically means to fight because you are out of options. The experts say don't fight fair. Use whatever you can because this is about survival.
Anderson said his department offers the free training to a variety of groups. Contact the department for more information.
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