TUNKHANNOCK, Pa. — As email threats disrupted classrooms for weeks, emergency evacuation plans were implemented this fall at many school districts across northeastern and central Pennsylvania.
"It's the first step. If we all know what we're doing and we're all singing from the same sheet of music, then we know how we can plan for 'next time,'" said Eric Combs, RDPC Instructor.
Now, first responders are taking matters into their own hands. Officials from all across Wyoming County were hitting the books preparing for these worst-case scenarios.
"We never want it to happen, but just in case it does, we want to feel prepared, and we want to know what to do," said Nicole Coldren, Principal of the Tunkhannock Intermediate Center.
The NEPA Regional Counter Terrorism Task Force hosted the training in Tunkhannock, which focused on handling crisis incidents in rural districts.
Everything from weather emergencies to an active shooter.
"What to do, who call, how to react to it, because it's not the time to panic, it's the time to have a plan in place," said Rob Castner, Manager of the NEPA Regional Counter Terrorism Task Force Program.
Instructor Eric Combs says it's important to know what to do when minutes matter most and how to handle students when emotions run high.
"We try to reduce the chaos of what's going to happen because nothing goes to plan, but at least if you have a plan, you'll have something you can adapt from," said Combs.
"The hardest, in my opinion, is the very small children, the kindergarteners, up to fifth grade. Where panic may set in, a lack of understanding may set in," added Castner.
"I think working with our teachers and provide more training with them about how to be a support for the kids in that moment. A lot of those teachers are going to be with those kids until they're reunited with their parents," said Coldren.
Planning and preparing to help keep kids safe.
The group will also be holding similar training in Carbon, Luzerne, and Susquehanna counties.