With mass shootings occurring more often than ever before in the U.S., organizations across the country have held informational seminars to teach business owners, schools and other entities how to prepare for those situations.

The Bainbridge-Decatur County Chamber of Commerce is offering one of those very seminars next Wednesday, Feb. 24, at the Kirbo Center.

Ken Davidson, training officer at the Decatur County Sheriff’s Offce, and DCSO Lt. Redell Walton will present the Active Shooter Seminar, teaching attendees about issues such as active shooter awareness, incident response and workplace violence. The seminar is open to all business owners, costing $10 for Chamber members and $20 for non-chamber members. Lunch will be provided.

“We just think this something very timely given the situation in our world and nation today,” Chamber of Commerce President Adrienne Harrison said. “We think it is a great information to offer our businesses to know.”

In many cases, there is no pattern or method to the selection of victims by an active shooter, and these situations are by their very nature unpredictable and evolve quickly.

Harrison urged Bainbridge-Decatur County business owners to take advantage of this opportunity to better prepare how to deal with an active shooter situation and to raise awareness of behaviors that represent pre-incident indicators and characteristics of active shooters.

“This is what you do when somebody comes in,” Harrison said. “And what are your rights if you carry at your place of business? It’s about more preparedness.”

Background information of active shooters will be given and the steps to take when faced with one.

The seminar will be from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Kirbo Center. Those interested should RSVP by Monday, Feb. 22. Call (229) 246-4774 for questions.