Special training will take place Monday and Tuesday at Luther College to teach skills to respond to workplace violence

Area educators, law enforcement and business/industry representatives will meet Monday and Tuesday at Luther College to receive training for dealing with a potential armed intruder or workplace violence.

The crisis training is called "ALICE," which stand for "Alert, Lockdown, Information, Counter and Evacuation."  It is another form of safety preparedness that will provide participants insight and response options when encountering a potential deadly situation such as an active shooter; much of the information is also helpful in dealing with workplace violence.

The first day of the training provides participants with a history of the program and its purpose, a discussion of traditional policy, case histories along with ALICE concepts and strategies. The mixture of backgrounds will allow for a variety of questions to the presenter.

The second day will introduce some training aids, liability discussion and scenario role plays to emphasize how the program works.

The training is sponsored by Winneshiek County Emergency Management Agency and is funded by a $7,500 Homeland Security Grant through EMA Region 2.  The training workshop also received support and assistance from Luther College Director of Campus Safety and Security Bob Harri, who reserved classroom space and found areas for the role playing of the second day.

Winneshiek County Emergency Management Coordinator Bruce Goetsch  commented "There is an excellent mix of local school educators, both public and parochial, law officers, and business professionals who should provide for a good sharing of ideas on how to help keep the schools and businesses safe.  Emergency Management pushed to obtain this training in light of all the previous violence in schools and public areas."

For further information please contact Goetsch at (563) 419-2553.