The United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) and Center Mass Training will co-host and conduct a seminar, "Protecting Your House of Worship," at East Fairview Church, 1187 Fairview Road, Manheim, on Thursday, Oct. 30, from 6 to 8 p.m.

The event is free and open to the public. Registration is encouraged because space is limited to 200 attendees. To register, visit https://tinyurl.com/uscca-event.

The USCCA/Center Mass Training seminar offers introductory information about how to better protect houses of worship. Attendees will learn how to identify a mass shooter, create an emergency operations plan and how to treat traumatic injuries that may occur.

Attendees will also learn how to better evaluate current levels of security, as well as practical exercises that can be done with team or church members to practice security procedures.

According to Jarred Atkins, Center Mass Training, Manheim, additional topics covered will include learning how to identify a person who may be planning a mass shooting, determine the steps to create an emergency operations plan, safety considerations, how best to evaluate current church security and how to treat wounded persons after an attack.

John Vastyan, East Fairview's safety and security director, noted that this event will inaugurate the Central PA Church Security Alliance, a local and regional coalition to serve the needs of houses of worship throughout the region. The purpose of the alliance, explained Vastyan, is to share information, best practices, speakers and training techniques.

Though the event will end at 8 p.m., Vastyan and others will be on hand to answer questions after the program ends. Attendees are encouraged to bring water, note-taking materials and questions.