Preparing Your Defense Against an Active Shooter

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PRISM 2019

Out of the Line of Fire, Preparing Your Defense Against an Active Shooter

Sarah V. Gillen, President, Emergency Skills, Inc.

The world is extremely unpredictable. Recently, police officers started shooting at a meat cleaver wielding man who had injured 3 officers during rush hour in the neighborhood of Herald Square in Manhattan. A few days later there was an explosion on 23rd Street and 7th Avenue also in Manhattan. Each day, our peaceful world is called into question. Regularly, there are reports of active shooter situations that occur in the workplace. For this reason, Emergency Skills, Inc. presented an educational session “Out of the Line of Fire, Preparing Your Defense Against an Active Shooter”. This timely topic is of concern to the whole population but especially to those responsible for creating a workplace that is both productive and safe.

Each of the news reports make us more frightened that severe violence in the workplace is inevitable. While the volume of the media focus on this topic perpetuates this idea, we need to keep these situations in perspective as well as do what we can to prepare for them.

There are ways that we can keep our employees safe ideally by preventing the situation from occurring in the first place as well as preparing your employees to react in the moment that it may occur.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) published a study in which they collected data on active shooter events from 2000 to 2013. Gang related, terrorist and non-gun violence were excluded from this study. During the 13-year period, there were 160 active shooter incidents and 45.6% of the events occurred in commercial environments. Less than 15% of those occurred in offices closed to pedestrian traffic – typical office space. Overall during the 13-year period there were 1,043 casualties and 486 of those people were killed. While the realty of an active shooter is frightening, statistically you have a much greater chance of experiencing a cardiac related emergency or car accident.

Despite the statistics, it is prudent to take measures for prevention and preparation. The FBI study found that of the 23 assailants in the workplace, 22 of them were current or former employees of the company they attacked. This gives companies an advantage. First, through background checks, a company can avoid hiring individuals who may be prone to violence. Second, if the policies at your firm are fair and equitable, employee frustration levels should not rise to the workplace violence level. Finally, if a situation is escalating, there are often warning signs that should be acted upon by the company.

When performing background checks, look for history of violent crime, drug or alcohol abuse or past conflicts with co-workers. In addition to having policies where problems are documented and addressed uniformly, it is important to create a climate of trust. This climate creates a safer, more productive workplace, as well as an environment where an employee will alert management if they hear of any violence in the planning stages. According to the study, “The Role of Warning Behaviors” (Melroy et al, Behavioral Sciences and the Law, 29: 2011), in 81% of the cases at least one person knew that the shooter was thinking about or planning the incident and in 93% of the cases, attackers engaged in some pre-offence disturbing behavior. As an administrator, it is critical that pre-planning with the building management and security team along with local law enforcement has occurred, so that you have resources, if you fear the worst may occur.

Then one day you are in your office, completing some forms for your benefits plan and you hear: POP, POP, POP. The moment of truth has occurred. There are three steps to remember: RUN, HIDE and FIGHT.

Run: Leave your belongings and get out. Take people with you but do not stop. Plan in advance your escape routes. Make sure you have alternate means and run away from the shots. Once you are safe, call 911.

Hide: If your escape route is blocked, hide. If possible, lock yourself in a room or office. Once inside, barricade the door with furniture. Typically, active shooters are taking the path of least resistance, they do not waste time on locked doors. If a separate room is not feasible, hide behind furniture and/or surround yourself with chairs, desks, anything that can block you from vision. In both cases, silence your cell phone or turn it off. Even a vibration can give your position away. Keep everyone hiding with you quiet. Managers and supervisors, your lead will be followed. Stay as calm as possible, it will be over soon.

Fight: If your hiding place is compromised, be prepared to fight. Think about makeshift weapons now. For example, staplers, letter openers, or fire extinguishers could disable the perpetrator. According to the FBI study, 13% of these emergencies ended after unarmed citizens restrained the shooter.

Active shooter emergencies end quickly and often prior to law enforcement arrival. It is important to call 911 but do not put yourself at greater risk by delaying your evacuation to do so. Call 911 once you are safely removed from the environment.

Once law enforcement arrives, understand that everyone is a suspect. Some important rules to follow:

Raise your arms and spread fingers.
Put down any items.
Avoid pointing and yelling.
Avoid quick movements.
Do not interfere with officer’s progress.

Law enforcement will need the following information:

Location of shooter
Number of shooters
Physical descriptions
Number and type of weapons
Number of potential victims

It is important to remember that law enforcement must secure the area before emergency medical services will be permitted into the area. Bleeding control is an important first aid concept for your employees to learn, so they may aid their co-workers, if needed. Bleeding control includes:

Applying pressure: Ideally using gauze, apply pressure to the affected body part. Continue to add more gauze if it becomes soaked with blood.
Elevate: Elevate the injured body part above the heart.
Tourniquet: As a last resort, you may apply a tourniquet. Note the time of day you apply the tourniquet.

Active Shooter emergencies are frightening and potentially devastating. Office administrators should develop relationships with resources such as local law enforcement, social workers, and building management in advance. Creating and implementing disciplinary policies that are fair and consistently practiced will improve the climate of your workplace. Training in emergency procedures such as CPR, first aid and evacuations will prepare your employees to respond calmly and correctly during an actual emergency.

Newsletters

Winter 2020

Summer 2019

PRISM 2019

Year End 2018/2019

Fall 2018

PRISM 2018

Year End 2017/2018

Mid-Chapter Year 2017

Winter 2017

November 2016

September/October 2016: Fall Into Central Park

Prism Summer 2016

August 2016: Summer in the City

June 2016: The Spirit of Freedom

Prism 2015

Out of the Line of Fire, Preparing Your Defense Against an Active Shooter