Active Shooter Response and Preparedness Course

FREE

Active Shooter Attacks What do we know?

For the past five years, there have been an average of 350 casualties every year. From 2016 to present, 452 deaths and 1,143 injuries in total, including law enforcement and shooters, were reported.

Incidents are increasing. Despite the global pandemic, the number of incidents continued to increase. Places that are at high risk should have preventive measures and know how to respond should an active shooter attack occur.

Commercial areas

Open spaces

Educational properties

Government properties

Residences

In about 13% of the incidents, unarmed private citizens successfully apprehended the shooter. With proper training, potential victims can defend themselves successfully and end the attack.

Setting Objectives The purpose of this course is to equip different stakeholders with the right skills and knowledge to prevent, prepare for and survive an active shooter situation.

At the end of this training… Staff/employees will be able to respond to the situation appropriately using the “Run, Hide, Defend” response strategy. Security professionals will be more aware of their critical role, from planning to response. Organizations will be able to better address the threat of an active shooter through employee vigilance and staff training.

Before we start, let’s establish our baselines.

RUN. HIDE. DEFEND.

Was that a gunshot?

Gunshot sounds are faraway. Emergency exits are nearby. Path is clear. WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?

Locate the nearest exit and plan your escape.

Don't hesitate. Leave your belongings. Survival is your priority.

Encourage others to escape. Personal safety is your priority, but if possible, encourage others to evacuate. Also, prevent others from entering the building or running towards unsafe areas.

Keep your hands visible at all times. Do not approach or ask help from first responder officers. Run towards where they came from to evacuate.

Call 911. When you're safe, call the emergency hotline and give all information that you know about the active shooter.

What information should you give? Location of the shooter or your location Number of shooters, if more than one Physical description of shooter(s) Number and type of weapons used by the shooter(s) Number of potential victims at the location

We're on the second floor. Gunshots fired nearby. People are running in chaos. It's too late to evacuate. WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?

Deny access. Lock and barricade the door with heavy furniture.

Remain quiet. Silence your phone and stay as quiet as possible.

Keep away from shooter(s) view Turn off the light and hide in the corner out. Do not huddle together.

Take cover. Hide behind large items where you can be protected from gunshots.

Which among these places is a good hiding spot?

More gunshots nearby. Shooter is out in the hallway. WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?

Good call! Now, pick a suitable weapon? **Any of these objects are suitable. ** Arm yourself with heavy objects (e.g. heavy books, chair, furniture, fire extinguisher, etc.) that can you can throw or use to attack the shooter. **Improvise and use whatever is around you. **

Good call! Now, pick a suitable weapon? **Any of these objects are suitable. ** Arm yourself with heavy objects (e.g. heavy books, chair, furniture, fire extinguisher, etc.) that can you can throw or use to attack the shooter. **Improvise and use whatever is around you. **

Good call! Now, pick a suitable weapon? **Any of these objects are suitable. ** Arm yourself with heavy objects (e.g. heavy books, chair, furniture, fire extinguisher, etc.) that can you can throw or use to attack the shooter. **Improvise and use whatever is around you. **

Plan your attack. If you are hiding out with a group, plan how you will attack the shooter. Work together.

Act aggressively. Your goal is to disarm and incapacitate the shooter. Act as aggressively as you can and commit to your action. Ready?

There's strength in numbers. Great work! Shooter has been subdued and disarmed.

Pointing, yelling and asking for help can slow them down and will not help them achieve their primary goal.

Make your hands visible at all times. Raise your hands and spread your fingers when you see law enforcement.

If you are injured, stay calm. A rescue team with medical personnel is on the way.

Role of Security Professionals

Prevention and Preparedness Security professionals participate as early as the planning stages. Your expertise and training is essential in identifying risks, assessing them and making control measures.

Security assessments are not one-time activities. Checking for potential threats should be proactive and done on a regular basis.

An effective security assessment involves various parties, including... Human Resources Local law enforcement; first responders Facility owners/supervisors/managers Security Staff Employees

Employee Vigilance

Empower employees to prevent active shooting incidents. We know that reporting can be an uncomfortable and daunting task to employees, but each member should be encouraged to prevent any threats to safety.

When to Report to Law Enforcement The Federal Bureau of Investigations identified serious warning signs that require further investigation. Report to law enforcement or facility security when you observe the following behaviors: An employee or former employee who expressed grievance or resentment towards the company or another employee Acquisition of multiple weapon Sudden weapons training or target practice Interest in explosives Fascination with shooting, terrorism or mass attack

Train Your Staff

Preparedness is one major component of an active shooter plan. Security and safety are not solely the responsibility of the security team but all members of the organization.

When our staff know exactly what to do, and have the right mindset and self-efficacy to execute what they’ve learned in training, they will be the authority figures whom others will follow in a state of emergency.

To prepare our staff for an emergency situation, such as an active shooter incident, an organization should come up with an Emergency Action Plan.

A comprehensive and effective EAP is a collaborative effort of the human resources department, law enforcement and emergency responders, security manager and facility managers/owners/operators and other stakeholders.

Why do we need an EAP? An EAP exists to inform your staff of guidelines and procedures for emergency situations such as an active shooter event. It should include... How to report emergencies When and how to evacuate Where safe room/areas and emergency exits are located Who should be contacted in case of an emergency and what are the contact information What hospitals are nearby including their contact information How they can alert the police, hospitals, security managers and remote individuals when there is an emergency.

When should we communicate the EAP? There may be more than one correct answer.

What information should you give? Location of the shooter Number of shooters, if more than one Physical description of shooter(s) Number and type of weapons used by the shooter(s) Number of potential victims at the location

Adopting A Survivor Mindset As mentioned before, denying the presence of danger is a common reaction of victims in crisis situations. When we react too late, we could miss the chance to getaway when it still safe to do so.

What is a Survivor Mindset? In active shooter attacks, the survivors... Did not hesitate to evacuate after hearing a gunshot Knew where the nearest exits are Chose the right place to hide and take cover Fought the shooter when they were in imminent danger Remained alert and observant of their surroundings