(OCEAN CITY, Md.) - Day two of the Spring Safety Conference in Ocean City kicked off with an active shooter demonstration at the Clarion Hotel Tuesday morning.
Industry professionals pretended to experience a real-life shooting and were tasked with using tools learned from previous seminars to make sure they got out alive.
Lieutenant Keith Runk, a Maryland State police officer, lead the two-day conference and training - and says even though shootings can't be predicted - preparation is key.
"First and foremost, if you're in the middle of an incident, one is the awareness piece. We have to be alert. We have to be alert to where the exits are. Part of the plan is preparing and accepting the fact that this is a reality," said Runk.
Many of the attendees plan to walk away from Tuesday's training with useful knowledge they'll hopefully never have to use.
"The training teaches you what to look for, and with the surprise attacks it makes you understand why you need to know your surroundings," said Sophia Oberton, a Delmar public works employee.
The Spring Safety conference is hosted by the Delmarva Safety Association which is a nonprofit that promotes safety through education and advocacy programs.