GuideOne Insurance is partnering with a company that trains businesses, schools and churches how to proactively counter active shooters and violent intruders.

The Iowa-based insurer said it will work with Strategos International to bring training and consulting to its church, school, nonprofit, senior living community and small business customers. The focus will be to train those clients how to prepare for and react to armed intruders.

Jessica Snyder, GuideOne’s president and CEO, said that the new service for its customers is designed to address current concerns about safety and reducing risks about gun violence.

“As we were tragically reminded recently, random acts of gun violence are a grim reality in today’s world. And, oftentimes, the first responder is a member of the community,” Snyder said in prepared remarks. “Many of our customers feel especially vulnerable. By providing them with this value-added service, they have immediate access to resources and training to proactively prepare for and respond should a violent incident occur.”

Strategos International President Vaughn Baker said in prepared remarks that education and training is a way to address increases in violence at schools and faith-based organizations.

The partnership allows GuideOne customers, through Strategos International, to access a variety of web-based and onsite training modules at a discount. Training courses cover security principles, intruder awareness and response, and other security-related topics for churches, schools and businesses. Additional resources are also available on GuideOne.com, including webinars, e-books, safety resource articles and more, GuideOne’s announcement noted.

Strategos launched in 2002, and the company claims it has trained more than 150,000 people globally. Strategos also evaluates facilities and overall organizational security to protect people and property; provides tactical instruction for law enforcement, military and private security personnel; and provides executive protection for businesses, executives, VIPs and others in need of personal security.

Source: GuideOne Insurance