DENVER -- It's not a question of if, but when, as active shootings become all too common in the United States.
The American Red Cross is being proactive by hosting emergency preparedness classes for citizens. As part of Save a Life Denver, the American Red Cross is offering active threat training for any individual in the Denver community.
"It’s a sad statement on life today," said David Youngstrom, who attended Saturday's scheduled training. "Active shooter events are something you just have to deal with."
The three-hour class includes active shooter training, stop the bleed training and hands-only CPR training.
"You aren' going be able to do something if you haven’t thought about it ahead of time," said Margaret Scott, who also attended the class. "I think that fear controls a lot of us and I think we all have collective PTSD honestly from the fear that’s in the world right now."
The classes are held at the Red Cross building in Denver at 444 Sherman Street. The next class is scheduled for Saturday, February 24 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Another class is set for Saturday, March 31 from 9 a.m. to 12p.m.
Red Cross officials said if demand requires and instructor capacity grows, other dates may be added. Each class can hold up to 35 people.
All participants must RSVP to Julianna Lochte at Julianna.lochte@redcross.org.