Each summer, representatives from Lehigh County Townships of the Second Class gather at the Schnecksville Fire Company for their annual convention and picnic.

Designed as a time for fun and learning, the event features guest speakers, an equipment rodeo and a delicious lunch.

Vendors, including Code Master, Arro, SSM Group, and Lehigh Valley Planning Commission Executive Director Becky A. Bradley and Director of Community Planning Eric C. McAfee had tables set up at the convention offering brochures, booklets and various wares.

Following a picnic-style lunch and the awarding of door prizes, Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors Assistant Executive Director Elam Herr provided the township representatives with a legislative update on what is happening in Harrisburg and how any changes would affect the local communities and employees.

This year, attendees also learned "roundabouts" are coming to the commonwealth.

According to Penn-DOT District 5 Assistant District Executive for Design James R. McGee "roundabouts" will replace the usual four-way intersections, where possible, when road improvements are needed.

Following an introduction by Upper Macungie Supervisor Kathy Rader, McGee presented a video on "roundabouts" and said the new way to handle intersections, in lieu of stop signs or traffic signals, has reduced crash fatalities by 90 percent and decreased injuries by 76 percent.

He said Washington State has 150 "roundabouts;" Carmel, Ind., has more than 50; New Jersey has four; and Pennsylvania already has 19.

"Good design is critical to the success of 'roundabouts,'" McGee said. "It's there. It's coming and a lot of people are talking about them.

"You pretty much can't build a signalized intersection in the Mid-West."

McGee said six "roundabouts" are under consideration now in Berks County and "roundabout studies will be done in Lehigh and Berks counties within a month.

After a brief break, Upper Macungie Township Deputy Police Chief Joseph B. Wilson discussed various ways to handle angry people and what to do if a shooter should enter a township building.

He showed the audience slides of the interior and exterior of the Ross Township Municipal Building, Monroe County, following the Aug. 6, 2013, shooting during which three people were killed, allegedly by a resident embroiled in an ongoing land dispute.

Wilson said an angry person believes the situation he is involved in is unfair; out of his control; and he is the victim.

He provided the municipal workers with tips on how to deal with an angry person, such as giving the person their full attention, letting the person talk and asking open-ended questions, such as, "How can I help you?"

Wilson also provided statistics on shootings.

According to studies done by John Nicolette Ph.D., 51 percent of shootings occur in the workplace; 17 percent in schools; 17 percent in public places; 6 percent in religious establishments; and 9 percent in other locations.

Wilson told attendees to take responsibility for their own lives and to develop a "survival mind-set," both mentally and physically, for a worst-case scenario.

He suggested walking through the workplace for possible exit routes and hiding places.

"Come to terms with what needs to be done and then commit to it," Wilson advised. "Neutralizing the shooter in some manner may be the only way to survive."