By Suzie Ziegler
UTAH COUNTY, Utah — As school safety continues to be a concern, one sheriff’s office is putting skills in the hands of the very first people on scene: teachers.
According to ABC 4, the Utah County Sheriff’s Office is offering a 20-hour course for school faculty that covers “critical skills needed in an active shooter incident.” It’s already full.
Utah is one of several states that allows permit holders to carry guns in public schools, according to the report.
This isn’t the first time the course has been offered. In 2019, Sheriff Mike Smith threw his support behind the program.
“If teachers are going to be bringing firearms into schools, let’s make sure they know how to handle them safely,” Smith said in an interview with the Associated Press.
The sheriff’s office says the course will cover the following topics:
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Tactical emergency medical techniques
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Weapons familiarization
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Utah concealed carry certification
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Tactical de-escalation
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Self-defense
Teachers will also take part in a day at the shooting range, according to ABC 4.
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