By Evan Sasiela esasiela@sentinel-standard.com 616-522-6054

Posted Feb 2, 2019 at 1:01 PM

United Way, Ionia Area Chamber of Commerce, are offering an active shooter preparedness training session for non-profits

FENWICK — While schools and businesses sometimes receive training for the horror of having an active shooter present, it can be more difficult for nonprofits.

Their small staff sizes and limited resources make that type of training rare.

But United Way Montcalm — Ionia Counties, and the Ionia Area Chamber of Commerce, are partnering to present a free active shooter preparedness training session for non-profit agency employees. The session takes place from noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 5 at the United Way building, 10260 S. Sheridan Rd. in Fenwick.

The training is open to nonprofits in Ionia and Montcalm counties, said Terri Legg, executive director of United Way Montcalm — Ionia Counties.

Lunch, provided by the Subway on Dexter Road in Ionia, will served from noon until 1 p.m. The rest of the afternoon will be dedicated to very serious training.

A maximum of 40 people can participate, and 30 have signed up so far.

Those interested in registering for the training can do so online at liveunitedm-i.org. Each person must register individually, Legg said.

Participants are encouraged to wear relaxed, comfortable attire for drills. The Ionia County Sheriff’s Office and Michigan State Police will be present to provide training and simulations.

“It will be a very active training,” Legg said.

Legg said this type of training is more common in schools, businesses or other public places, but not so much for non-profit agencies.

“That is a normal training that happens, but that is not normal training for a nonprofit because of the cost and not having enough people to run it,” Legg said.

Legg said people can never be too prepared for dangerous situations, like the sudden presence of an active shooter.

“United Way is really looking at a whole community approach to provide training,” Legg said. “We would rather be over-prepared instead of under-prepared.”