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FLINT, Mich. (WJRT) – A mass shooting in Grand Blanc on Sunday has left faith communities across Michigan shaken, prompting local law enforcement and public officials to offer a crash-course on recognizing and responding to danger.

The Genesee County Sheriff’s Department and Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel organized a safety briefing Friday at Genesee Health System to teach faith communities how to identify and respond to threats.

“The connection with law enforcement is a really important one, having key contacts to be able to reach out to further follow up, the ability to create a safety plan for a congregation,” said Monica Villarreal, a pastor at the Lutheran Church in Flint.

Law enforcement officials were on hand to address questions from attendees.

“We are here today to answer some questions. What are you doing that’s working, and what you need to do to keep your flock safe?” said Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson.

Villarreal emphasized the importance of the briefing’s timing.

“We want to be as prepared as possible to lead our community and to have answers for when we gather for worship, because our congregants are thinking about a whole variety of things, including, is it safe to worship at this time?” Villarreal said.

The session covered protocols such as when to run, hide, or fight, evacuation plans and drills, securing spaces, and basic first aid like using tourniquets to stop bleeding.

“Wherever you are, you should know where the exits are, you should have a plan, and your family should be ready to do whatever it takes to survive,” said Lt. Rudy Lopez with the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office.

The information from the briefing will be available to community members through teaching modules crafted by the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office.

Law enforcement encourages anyone who sees something suspicious to report it.

For more information on how to report a hate crime, visit michigan.gov/mdcr/hate-crimes.