Ventura County Sheriff’s Sgt. John Wright presented an Active Shooter training session for the City Council at Tuesday’s Special Meeting. He advised everyone to be prepared for any shooting event.

A Special Meeting of the Fillmore City Council was held Tuesday, May 1 during which the Council approved a project list to be funded by the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, and a contract for construction of pavement resurfacing SPEC No. 16-02, FEDERAL PROJECT No. 16-02 STPL 5222 (021). Portions of approximately 23 streets will be resurfaced. The City of Fillmore is projected to receive $260,433 in RMRA funds in Fiscal Year 2018-2019. Additional funds of $20,900 were also approved.

An ACTIVE SHOOTER TRAINING presentation was delivered by Ventura County Sheriff's Sgt. John Wright at this Tuesday's meeting.

Sgt. Wright reviewed specific ways of responding to an active shooter situation in multiple areas, including public and private spaces. He emphasized the importance of learning and reviewing particular defensive techniques in the event an armed assailant should enter a building.

Call 911 quickly. Generally, all efforts should be made to run from the danger area if possible. Secondly, targeted individuals should hide, shelter in place behind a barricade from the shooter and remain quiet so not to reveal their location. Lastly, where no other option remains, every effort should be made to defend yourself, have the mindset to fight for your life. Where possible others should join in an aggressive, offensive reaction, attacking the shooter to disable him. Do not find yourself freezing in place with shock.

Wright advises people to think and discuss such emergency situations with fellow workers, and to encourage violence drills. Most shooters have "done their homework" before attacking.

He also advises everyone to take threats seriously; if you see something, say something. Building security is very important, as is knowledge of the workplace area. Wright reminded the Council that active shooter incidents occur more than two times every month nationally.

Wright emphasized the importance of having a well-stocked emergency first aid kit available; with tourniquets, heavy gauze, and other items, not just Band-Aids, to treat serious wounds, He also advised keeping a first aid kit in your car.