Dallas health dept. workers to undergo active shooter training

The attack on health department workers in San Bernardino, California put similar departments across the country on guard, including Dallas County.

The names of those killed were read in a Dallas County conference room on Wednesday, where health department employees gathered to honor them with a moment of silence at the same time the shooting began a week ago.

The health department is planning to prepare its workers to protect themselves.

“We get the letters every day with regards to threats on employees at Dallas County Health and Human Services,” said Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price.

An active shooter training video posted on the county website shows employees how to try and protect themselves from a shooter in the workplace.

It’s what Dallas Police Officer Dave Wilson does full time since 2013. From running, hiding, and blocking doors, it’s the type of training that health department employees will get from the sheriff's department and Dallas County Security.

“Most importantly for our employees is survivability,” said Chief Robert DeGroot with Dallas County Security. “The scariest thought for any of us is the thought of losing coworkers, our friends, family or loved ones.”

Health department workers will learn the same things that Officer Wilson teaches in his course.

“It becomes the law of the jungle,” said Wilson. “You've got to throw your religion aside; you've got to throw the way you were raised aside. You've got to survive by whatever means you can.”