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On Tuesday, local law enforcement held a training seminar for Troup County School System building leaders. The training went over things that hopefully none of them will ever need to deal with, such as using a fire extinguisher or a school shooter situation.

Both are worst case scenario situations where lives could be in danger. It’s the sort of thing you don’t think will ever happen here — and hopefully it won’t — but other communities across our country have uttered the same phrase.

It’s best to be prepared, just in case.

And that was the point of Tuesday’s training — preparing, just in case. There was a discussion on gang activity as well.  However, the afternoon was spent on active shooter training, a scenario that’s hard to even imagine playing out.

When we send our students to school each day, nothing is more important than their safety. We drop them off so that they can learn new things, have fun and participate in extracurricular activities. We shouldn’t have to worry about whether or not they’re going to come home in one peace or not.

We’re thankful that the LaGrange Police Department, Troup County Sheriff’s Department and Troup County School System have put such an emphasis on keeping our students safe. When we send reporters to cover the active shooter training scenarios, they are typically hard to watch.

Law enforcement makes it as realistic as possible. Their training includes the ability to quickly take in the entire situation and identify the suspect as fast as possible. Law enforcement is taught to become a team of “one,” if necessary, in these types of situations.

Of course, teachers also have a responsibility to keep students safe, and their actions could play a huge role.

Let’s hope our school system leaders and law enforcement personnel never need to respond to an active shooter situation. However, there should be a little comfort in knowing that they are discussing it and preparing, just in case.