ST. FRANCIS — Less than a week before the start of the school year, teachers and staff at St. Francis High School spent their day learning what to do in an active shooter situation.
This is the first year St. Francis School District has done a full, in-depth training with multiple agencies.
Superintendent Blake Peuse said the practice is a way to let staff know what to do if the unthinkable happens.
"It's important for us to get this information, drill it in and talk about it regularly, so it becomes an autoresponse if something were to happen," said Peuse.
Staff members were taught how to treat wounds, stop bleeding and how to get kids to a safe location.
St. Francis Fire Chief Nicholas Poplar said the information is critical when providing care to victims.
"With the teachers being taught this, it allows them to apply these principles, these lifesaving interventions, which really comes down to seconds making a difference," said Poplar.
A group called Peaceful Warrior, made up of first responders, led the training.
Capt. Mike Bolender is a 23-year veteran with the Oak Creek Police Department, and he has been through two active shooter incidents. He taught the teachers how to secure their classrooms and what critical information police need to know when a shooter is present.
"With the teachers being taught this, it allows them to apply these principles, these lifesaving interventions, which really comes down to seconds making a difference." — St. Francis Fire Chief Nicholas Poplar
After the training, each classroom will receive a Treat and Go Bag. It is a bag filled with tools that educators need to stop a wound from bleeding.
"We have given them the tools to save lives," said Poplar.
They are tools teachers and staff members hope they never have to use.
