YISD, YPD host active attacker training for staff

  • YISD teachers and staff attend the active attacker training at Yoakum High School Tuesday, Aug. 9.
    YISD teachers and staff attend the active attacker training at Yoakum High School Tuesday, Aug. 9.
  • School Resource Officer Sarah Mendoza hosts active attacker training Aug. 9.
    School Resource Officer Sarah Mendoza hosts active attacker training Aug. 9.
  • YISD School Resource Officer vehicle parked outside Yoakum High School Aug. 9.
    YISD School Resource Officer vehicle parked outside Yoakum High School Aug. 9.

    With the tragic mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde fresh on the minds of educators across the nation, Yoakum Independent School District (YISD) teachers and staff attended an active attacker training Tuesday, Aug. 9.

     

    YISD School Resource Officer Sarah Mendoza and Yoakum Police Department officer Lieutenant Michael Pierman hosted the district’s first civilian response to active shooter events (CRASE) training a week before the 2022-2023 school year. 

     

    “It’s the start of school; it’s the beginning of a really tough year – I would say – because we’ve had Uvlade so (recently)...,” said Mendoza at Tuesday’s training. “This is something that’s going to help you to take to your classrooms, but not only there. Sadly, we live in a world where it’s starting to be the norm – active shooters.”

     

    The law enforcement officers held two four-hour presentations at the Yoakum High Auditorium to provide school staff examples of past active attacker events, information concerning student risk factors, local and online resources for school staff and much more. 

     

    Tuesday’s training was targeted at teachers, school secretaries, teacher aids and school administrators. Substitute teachers and custodians received similar training previously by Assistant Superintendent for Administration Chris Kvinta.