Active shooter drill learning tool for Board

BENTON — Even though Franklin County Board members were warned ahead of time that an active shooter drill was scheduled during their committee meetings on Monday, the room turned into chaos when shots rang through the courthouse.
The drill was conducted by Sheriff Don Jones and his staff as a training exercise for his department and the County Board. Jones requested the media not photograph the exercise; the Evening News complied with the request.
When the "shooter" made his way to the third floor of the courthouse — where the County Board meets — one board member scrambled to his feet to close one of the doorways while someone else closed the remaining door. However, the Board learned that neither of the doors could be locked from the inside. One board member alertly left the room when the first shots rang out, finding a hiding place elsewhere on the third floor.
Most of the Board members either hid under the conference table or remained in their seats. One audience member spilled soda onto the carpet during the exercise.
"You may want to consider changing locks," the sheriff pointed out. Another individual suggested placing dead bolt locks on the doors. Chairman Randall Crocker concluded the Board should take immediate action to remedy the situation.
Jones said the department routinely conducts these type of drills for training purposes, pointing out that practice sessions were recently conducted at Benton Consolidated High School.
Following the exercise, Jones made recommendations to the Board when confronted with a real shooter.
He said Board members can do three things: If you can escape, get away. Secondly, he said members should hide, suggesting a nearby court room. And thirdly, when all else fails, fight back.
"If you do nothing, you become a victim," said Captain Rick Veldman, the alleged shooter during the exercise. "Be aware of your environment and do something."
Administrative Assistant Gayla Sinks reported a website called ALICE is available for board members to learn how to react during an active shooter situation.