A program next week will teach participants what to do if they ever encounter an active-shooter situation, organizers say.

Sponsored by the Zuni Ruritan Club and set for Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. at Windsor High School, the program will be led by Lt. Curtis Hardison of the Virginia State Police.

“Occasionally, as we find it necessary and critical issues come before the community, our Ruritan club decides to sponsor it,” said Theodore Hardison, who handles public relations for the Zuni Ruritan Club.

“It’s just a way of the Ruritan club bringing critical issues to the public eye. We felt like this was the most significant one that was on the horizon right now.”

The program will teach participants how to respond when they encounter an active shooter at school, in their workplace, in a shopping mall, outdoors or anywhere else, Hardison said.

He said he has seen the program before and believes it will be beneficial for everybody who attends.

“We feel like we have a very informative program and an excellent speaker that people will listen to,” Hardison said. “It’s hard-hitting, straight and direct to the point. You feel almost like there’s an active shooter in the building. There’s no way you can see it without being emotionally moved.”

Hardison said he believes the door prize — a 32-inch color television — will bring in a lot of people.

“The free door prize should entice some people,” he said. “If we can get their ear, state police should do the rest. We feel like if the public knows that this program is being sponsored, that they’re going to respond and come and attend because of the significant nature of it.”

The school is located at 24 Church St., Windsor.