In 2017 there were 30 active shooting incidents throughout the nation. A total of 138 were killed in the shootings. An active shooter is defined by the FBI as someone actively killing or attempting to kill in a populated area.

In response to the rise of active shootings, the Taylor County Cooperative Extension Service requested a representative from the University of Kentucky to evaluate the Taylor County Extension Office and discuss with the staff options to make the facility safer.

An Active Shooter Awareness Seminar was held with 30 participants attending. The participants learned how to have a “Survival Mindset” in these life and death situations. Participants also learned how law enforcement responds to active shootings.

A participant commented how the “Survival Mindset” training reinforced the best weapon is a person’s own critical thinking. The participant also appreciated the variety of programs the Taylor County Cooperative Extension Service was offering.