Hundreds attend active shooting seminar

NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (WTNH) -- Hundreds gathered in New Britain to learn how to protect themselves from a gunman if a tragedy like Sandy Hook ever strikes again.

"We teach, run, hide and fight," said Vincent Riccio of Signal 88 Security.

More than 100 people from Police officers and school administrators to law makers and business owners packed into the YMCA wanting to know how to survive if a gunman walked into their place of business or school and started to shoot.

"I work in a manufacturing firm and we have probably about 260 to 280 employees so I'm kind of concerned about their safety. I am trying to see what we can do to help that," said Paul Stawarz of New Britain.

Here at the YMCA they have concerns of their own so they brought in a security expert to give out life saving tips.

"First reaction should be to run. You don't want to confront somebody with a gun obviously. If you can't do that, in lieu, hide. Find some place to hide," said Riccio.

Experts say fighting back is the last resort but if you have to, knowing potential weapons is key. A coat rack, fire extinguisher or even something as simple as a stapler can work. The experts say fighting back is better than laying down and becoming a victim.

"We have a lot of kids in the building. We have a preschool programs and members in and out. We even have people who live here so we have to keep it a safe place for everyone," said Marci Moskao of YMCA.

In the wake of the Newtown shooting the security experts also adressed school safety and some concrete ways to keep the shooters out.

"Not just gun control but archetectual changes. Right now most schools have fire doors. Those can be changed, retrofitted to have locks and lock during an emergency, such as an active shooter and the teachers can have the codes," said Riccio.