How to Survive an Active Shooter

DOUGLASVILLE, Ga. - It's a fact of life that seems here to stay: active shooters have become commonplace in our country. But what makes the difference between life and death in an active shooter scenario?

"My job is to make sure my people, my community, are taking it seriously," said Douglasville Police Chief Gary Sparks.

He isn't mincing words when it comes to making sure people know how to survive an active shooter. He said step one is to have a plan.

"If your workplace doesn't have a plan, tomorrow you need to go talk to your boss,” said Sparks, “and say 'look here, we need to put a plan together.'"

Tuesday night, Chief Sparks and other Douglasville officers taught a crowd how to survive an active shooter.

"It makes me feel a little more empowered,” said Brigette Ruthe, who attended the class. “If I was in a situation, I have options."

Experts here said it’s those first few minutes, the time between a 911 call and when cops arrive, that you have to be your own best defense. Many local law enforcement agencies offer active shooter courses.

For more information, just call your local police department or sheriff's office.