Utah County teachers train for active shooter situations, other threats

LEHI, Utah — On a school night, nearly 50 teachers and educators were the students in a class focused on deescalating and, if need be, stopping active shooters and other potential threats.

The Utah County Sheriff’s Office’s “Teachers Academy” met Tuesday evening, this time to learn and practice tactics to disarm shooters while also going through a training simulator.

“Statistically, from the time police are called on an active shooter event, there are about three minutes that it takes for law enforcement to get there,” Sheriff Mike Smith said. “The importance is in that three minutes if you encounter this gunman who is there to kill you and kill the kids in the school, to have a plan and we’re here to help them develop that plan.”

Smith said teachers from various schools around the county were present Tuesday.

The roughly 20-hour course has involved several law enforcement instructors who have also covered topics like emergency medical techniques and the process of concealed carry certification.

Teacher Brad Northcutt said he saw high value in the training.

“It’s a sad reality that this can happen anytime, any day,” Northcutt said. “If we can offer some small bit of extra protection for the kids under our care, then I’m happy to do it.”

Smith said while he hopes an active shooting situation never unfolds at a Utah school, “hope is not a strategy.”

“By getting the thought process going and teaching these skills, I do believe these teachers will make a difference and can make a difference.”