The state has kicked off the first of five days of regional training meant to teach Ohio educators to respond to school shooting situations.
More than 200 people registered to participate in Thursday's training in Columbus, where the instructor told participants that planning and practicing responses for an intruder situation will save lives in case of a real incident.
The state's attorney general and the Ohio Department of Education are partnering on the free training for teachers, administrators and some law enforcement officers. The state says planning for the training began after the deadly school shooting in Chardon last February, and the Connecticut school massacre last month created a surge in interest.
Training events also are planned in Cincinnati, Chauncey, Toledo and Valley View over the next few weeks.