Less than two weeks after the mass shooting in Orlando, Florida, dozens of restaurant and bar employees and managers met on Thursday for active shooter training.
The hour-long seminar was held at 11 a.m. at the Observatory in North Park. Nightclub Security Consults presented and open forum and discussion for those in attendance.
Some attendees told NBC 7 that it’s a discussion they did not think they would ever have.
"It's sad, but it's just the day and age we live in now and it's better to be prepared," Jenna Barger, Bar Manager at Double Deuce said.
This forum comes after the massacre at Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando on June 12.
[NATL] Deadly Nightclub Shooting Leaves Orlando Reeling
Omar Mateen opened fire inside the club around 2 a.m., taking the lives of 50 people and injuring more than 50 others before he was shot dead by authorities.
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It is the largest mass shooting in U.S. history.
Communities have been on edge since the shooting and authorities have also been ramping up security ahead of San Diego Pride Month.
Local nightclubs and bars called for increased security after the attacks, fearing the worst.
Paris Anden, the general manager of the Observatory Theater, says the chances of an active shooter incident happening at the Observatory are rare but they want to be prepared.
“I think internally and also with other bars, it's definitely been a topic on everyone's mind on how we can improve the safety of our venue and how to improve communication between us and other venues," she said.
Dozens of members of San Diego’s hospitality industry discussed safety, prevention and what actions to take during an active shooter situation.
"I think we need to be more aware," Una Hamala, Security Manager at the Observatory Theater said.
The event was put on by Robert Smith, a former detective of the San Diego Police Department. Smith is now the president of Nightclub Security.
“It used to be that running and hiding was okay because the assailant wanted your purse, your wallet, or cell phone. They were going to take your money and leave. With an active shooter, the way you have to look at it is they're coming in for your life,” he said.
Smith says the new mantra is run, hide and fight.
"If a shooter wants to come to your venue and shoot your front door and run in and shoot people, they will. However, if we know how to respond to that guy instead of just running and hiding, less people will die. That's an absolute fact," he said.
He suggested placing signs in the bathroom or on tables, with "run, hide, fight" mantra and signs that ask guests to find their nearest exits.
Most of the bars and clubs in San Diego told NBC 7 they plan to do more bag searches and pat downs on people before they enter the venue. Some stated they will also create zones for security guards, so they cover specific areas.
