Company trains dozens of church leaders how to act during active shooter situation

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (KSAZ) - As millions head to church tomorrow, the possibility of an active shooter storming their place of worship is far from their minds.

And that's part of the problem, says Strategos International.

The company trains church leaders on what to do in an active shooter situation, which was prompted from the Sutherland Springs, Texas church shooting that killed more than 20 people last year.

The security company says since 1999, there have been 1,500 violent church attacks. In 2016 alone, there were 246 violent attacks.

Barry Young with Strategos International was at New Life Community Church in Scottsdale training about 50 church leaders from numerous denominations from churches in Arizona and California.

"Mots churches don't think about an active shooter or active threat can happen to them. And what we do, we just want to make sure churches can provide a safe worship environment for their followers," Young said. "We just want to equip and empower people to protect themselves."

The first plan is to teach about the "Lock Out, Get Out" plan, which is a way to go on lock down and an evacuation plan.

"We want to train churches in lock out and number two, we want to train churches in 'get out,'" Young said.

Lastly, he says a take out plan should be known while awaiting first responders.

"When an active shooter comes to a church, churches don't have four to nine minutes in 'lock out,' 'get out' and unfortunately, if they have to 'take out,'" Young said.