Local churches attend safety training in Longview

LONGVIEW, Texas ( KETK ) – Several local churches attended a training meeting that focused on active shooter defense on Thursday at the Fellowship Bible Church.

The Longview Area Safety Teams, that focuses on one area of training every quarter, and the Texas Church Coalition hosted the meeting.

“We want to be a welcoming church but not a vulnerable church,” James Kelt, with the Longview Area Safety Teams, said.

Members of the team meet to discuss and train on how to properly protect their fellow worshippers.

“We want to be a space where anyone can come and worship and do it safely and have confidence that them and their children are in a safe place during that time,” Kelt said.

The training is called PRESS, which stands for prepare, respond, engage, save and survive.

Kelt said it’s critical for churches to acknowledge their weaknesses.

“Being aware of your surroundings, knowing your church campus, knowing where certain access points are, where your vulnerabilities are and then training to that point and educate,” Kelt said.

The seminar also discussed the immediate response if an incident does occur to keep congregates safe.

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