NATCHEZ — Adams County Christian School teachers crowded into the library Friday morning to discuss a topic becoming ever more salient to their profession: active shooters.

Deputies with the Adams County Sheriff’s Office came to the school to field questions and describe the actions teachers should take in an emergency shooter situation.

“There is always risk,” Capt. Frank Smith said. “You just need to have students familiar with the process. Students are your first priority.”

The approximately 30 teachers in the small library Friday asked questions of the officers and proposed scenarios they might have to face.

Some questions were simple: Should I keep mace or wasp spray in my desk? Should I keep my door locked during class time?

Other queries, however, denoted the fear some teachers said they feel: If a shooter is in the hallway, should I let my students escape out of the window? If a shooter comes in tomorrow, will we be ready?

Some teachers said the fear of an incident similar to school shootings across the country are pervasive. They fear, teachers said, for their safety and that of their students.

“I’ve been trying to talk to my kids because, after all of this happening, they have been freaking out,” science and math teacher Donna Tidwell said. “They talk about it all the time.”

The sheriff’s deputies said informed students would be more prepared and — hopefully — safer in the event of a shooting.

A recurring question concerned communication with parents.

Deputies told teachers to be wary of rumors and social media posts and instructed them to produce one clear message to be sent out over social media.

Schools also need a plan, Maj. Shane Daugherty said, for where parents will wait for news and their child’s release.

“You want parents to know — I would want to know — but you have to have a plan,” Daugherty said. “Where will all those parents go?”

Smith said communication with law enforcement is integral to identifying at-risk students.

“Y’all are the front lines,” he said. “When you see a kid having trouble, reach out. Trust your instincts.”

Sheriff Travis Patten said telling law enforcement when a student exhibits signs of violence could be key to preventing an act of violence.

“That little bit of information you have could save lives,” Patten said. “We are here to help you, and we’re one phone call away.”

ACCS Headmaster David King said this seminar was a part of a larger increase in school security.

Also installed are new locks on all exterior doors that require keypads and fobs to unlock and an armed security guard who will be on campus at all times.

Patten and King agreed to schedule an active-shooter drill soon so students could practice reacting to life-threatening situations.

“We may lead the county in fire drills,” King said jokingly. “We just want to be prepared. We want to be able to have this training, too.”