It is a sad sign of the times. But in light of recent high-profile tragedies on the mainland, “active shooter” survival training has become more prevalent.

The Honolulu Police Department, for one, advises that all companies, schools and other organizations have an action plan and a rallying point off property, in the event of such a situation.

HPD offers a free presentation on what to do, emphasizing the strategy “Run, Hide, Fight”; it includes a video that can be viewed online. For more information, see honolulupd.org and click on the “community” section then “speaker requests.”

Hopefully, the training will never be needed. But information is always good, and better safe than sorry.

Meanwhile, enjoy some college football

There are at least two major sports events today with strong links to Hawaii.

First up, for all military personnel in the islands, the annual Army vs. Navy college football rivalry game starts at 10 a.m. on KGMB. It’ll be the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., (the Black Knights) vs. the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md. (the Midshipmen). Navy leads the series 59–49–7, and has won every year since 2002. Navy’s coach is former University of Hawaii quarterback Kenneth Va’a Niumatalolo, who was inducted into the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame in 2014.

Then, at 3 p.m. on ESPN, is the annual Heisman Trophy presentation, which last year, of course, was won by Hawaii’s own Marcus Mariota, the Saint Louis School grad then Oregon Duck and now Tennessee Titan QB. No Hawaii-related candidates are in the running this year, but it’s still a feel-good show to watch.