MARTINSVILLE (WSLS 10) - The Martinsville Police Department is starting a new program to help businesses prepare for violent situations, including active shooters.
The police department has already worked with the Blue Ridge Regional Library staff, who say they learned a lot from the program.
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"We want people to get into the 'if then' thinking mode where if someone should come in to attack, what would I do," says Capt. Robert Fincher with the Martinsville Police Department.
Capt. Fincher says employees can protect themselves in office settings where weapons or guns may not be allowed.
He says a chair, ink pen, or anything else can be used to stop an attacker.
Some of the techniques Capt. Fincher teaches includes how to use office supplies to barricade a door.
The department decided to start the program after the San Bernardino shootings and is modeling it after the Department of Homeland Security's training called 'Run, Hide, Fight.'