Active-shooter church security training returning to W.Pa.

A Georgia-based firearms instructor is returning to the Pittsburgh area in June for a third consecutive year of church security training.

Rodney Smith, founder of the Georgia Firearms and Security Training Academy, will bring two courses to the region — a six-hour course for unarmed church security personnel June 12, and a 16-hour active-shooter training course June 12-13.

“Our mission is to empower our students with the proper mindset, knowledge, skills and confidence to prevent, recognize and respond to an active shooter, active threat, natural or man-made disaster,” Smith said.

The June 12 sessions will be held at Union Presbyterian Church of Robinson Township, 6165 Steubenville Pike. The June 13 session will be held at the Irwin Sportsmen’s Association (pistol range), 995 Oakside Drive, Irwin.

The 16-hour course is for pastors and lay leaders who have a state firearms permit and who can bring their own handgun and ammunition to the range on June 13. It is limited to 25 students, and 15 spots remain open. Cost is $275.

The six-hour course is limited to 50 students. Cost is $50.

Smith, a native of Westmoreland County, founded his training academy in 2015 after the shooting at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C. Since then, he has taught security courses in more than 50 churches in the South and in Western Pennsylvania.