The “Business Sense and Security Sessions” (BS Sessions) is a vital training series available to all area businesses covering a variety of topics that keep Yankton employees and customers safe.

This series kicks off with “Workplace Violence & Preparedness”, covering topics like active shooters and hostage situations. Yankton Police Lieutenant Mike Bergeson will inform attendees on how to put a plan in place to protect employees and businesses before it’s too late. Additional businesses and contacts will be on hand for attendees to visit with after the training.

“We’ve been told by our local law enforcement that it’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when. Employee safety should be business owner’s top priority and without a plan in place, something like an active shooter situation could be devastating. This short, interactive 2-hour training could make all the difference in your business being able to prevent a hostile situation from happening, or react in a way that saves people’s lives,” says Chamber director Carmen Schramm.

The BS Series, organized by the Chamber’s Health & Safety sub-committee of Business Education and Development, will include at least three sessions per year on topics like disaster planning and preparedness and cyber security that impact our Yankton businesses. While every Chamber member and non-member is welcome to send employees from any department to benefit from the training, they are especially valuable for management and HR professionals.

“Workplace Violence & Preparedess”, the first training in this series, will be held on January 11, 2018 at the Avera Professional Office Pavilion, 409 Summit, from 11:30 am – 1:00 pm. Registration is required but there is no cost to attend. If registrants are interested in lunch, Willa B’s is providing a brown bag option for $10 that can be selected when registering.

Businesses interested in having a display or booth at the event should contact the Yankton Chamber of Commerce about availability and pricing. Businesses that provide relevant information about workforce violence and preparedness will be considered and space is limited.

The second session addressing disaster planning and recovery will be held April 26, and the third session about cyber security will be held July 26.

Registration is required and the deadline is January 8.