Active Shooter in
the Workplace
EnviroSafe Overview
•
•
•
•
•
Incorporated since 1996
Provides Risk Management and Crisis Management
consulting services in the US, US Territories, Canada, UK,
and other countries as well
Passionate about regulatory compliance and
comprehensive preparedness across a broad array of
industries
Provided Active Shooter TTX and FSE’s for all 17 of the
UNC campuses
Provided Active Shooter exercises within the chemical
industry, healthcare industry, educational, and many others
Agenda
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
What is an Active Shooter / Assailant?
Can this Happen to You?
Historical Data
What can you do?
Run – Hide – Fight
APTER Overview
Questions
What Is An Active
Shooter?
An active shooter is an
individual actively engaged in killing or
attempting to kill people in a confined and
populated area, typically through the use of
firearms.
As defined by US Department of Homeland Security
Typical Characteristics Of An
Active Shooter / Active
Assailant
•
•
•
Victims are selected at random
The event is unpredictable and evolves quickly
Law enforcement is usually required to end
an active shooter / assailant situation
Can This Happen To
You?
Historical Incidents
•
Postal Incidents that occurred between 1986 and 1987…”Going Postal”
•
Columbine High School
•
Virginia Tech Mass Shootings
•
Aurora Colorado Theatre Shooting
•
Newtown Connecticut Elementary School Shooting
•
Fort Hood Texas
What Can You Do?
•
•
•
•
ALICE Model
HIDE-RUN-FIGHT
RUN-HIDE-FIGHT
Other Methods
ALICE
•
•
•
•
•
ALERT
LOCKDOWN
INFORM
COUNTER
EVACUATE
ALERT
ALERT – Can be anything
Gunfire
Witness
Phone Alert
The purpose of the ALERT is to inform as many people as
possible within the danger zone that a potentially lifethreatening situation exists. This can be facilitated via
many different methods (PA, text, email, personal senses).
No matter the method of delivery, the objective should be
a conveyance of information, not an issuance of a
command.
LOCKDOWN
LOCKDOWN – This is a semi-secure starting point from which
you will make survival decisions. If you decide not to evacuate,
secure the room.
Lock and barricade doors with anything and/or tie down the
door using any type of strap.
Turn off lights, close blinds, silence cell phones, computers,
etc.
Look for alternate escape routes (windows, other doors).
Move out of the doorway in case gunfire comes through.
Keep yourself out of sight and take adequate cover, spread
out don’t huddle in groups.
Try not to trap or restrict your option for movement.
Once secured do not open the door for anyone. Police will
enter the room when the situation is over.
Call 911.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
INFORM
INFORM – Using any means necessary to pass on real
information.
Given in plain language
Who, what, where, when and how information.
Location of shooter, number of shooters if more than
one.
Physical description of shooter/s.
Number and type of weapons held by the shooter/s.
Number of victims.
Can be used by people in the area or who may come
into it to make common sense decisions.
Can be given in “Text Alerts”,
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
COUNTER
COUNTER – This is the use of simple, proactive techniques should
you be confronted by the Active Shooter. As a last resort, and only
when your life is in imminent danger, attempt to disrupt and/or
incapacitate the active shooter by:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Acting as aggressively as possible against him/her.
Throwing items and improvising weapons.
Anything can be a weapon.
Create as much noise as possible.
Attack as a group (swarm).
Grab the shooters limbs and head and take them to the ground
and hold them there.
Fight dirty-bite, kick, scratch, gouge eyes, etc.
Run around the run and create chaos.
Commit to your actions.
If you have control of the shooter call 911 and tell the police
EVACUATE
EVACUATE – Remove yourself from the danger zone as quickly as
possible.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Decide if you can safely evacuate.
Run in a zigzag pattern as fast as you can.
Do not stop running until you are far away from the area.
Bring something to throw with you in case you would
encounter the Active Shooter.
Consider if the fall from a window will kill you.
Break out windows and attempt to quickly clear glass from the
frame.
Consider using belts, clothing or other items as an improvised
rope to shorten the distance you would fall.
Hang by your hands from the window ledge to shorten your
drop.
Attempt to drop into shrubs, mulch or grass to lessen the
chance of injury.
HIDE-RUN-FIGHT
HIDE
•
•
•
•
•
Be out of the Active Shooter’s view.
Provide protection if shots are fired in your direction.
Be away from doors and windows as bullets can pass through these
easily. Not trap you, or restrict your options for escape if that is
possible.
To prevent an Active Shooter from entering your hiding place, you
should:
Lock the door.
Blockade the door with heavy furniture.
If the Active Shooter is nearby:
Lock the door.
Silence your cell phone or pager.
Turn off any source of noise, such as radios and televisions.
Hide behind large items such as cabinets and desks.
Remain quiet and ask those around you to also remain quiet.
HIDE-RUN-FIGHT
RUN
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Have an escape route and plan in your mind before you start to move.
Ensure you account for all of the students, having a teacher’s aide lead the
students out, while you check the last student out of the room or area.
Leave your belongings behind, telling students to do the same.
Break windows to escape if you are on the ground floor, clearing away glass
and laying mats or clothing over the windowsill to prevent injury.
You should have an adult climb out first to help students exit the window
safely if this is possible.
Prevent individuals from entering an area where an Active Shooter may
present a threat.
You should warn people to stay away without endangering yourself or your
students.
Keep your hands visible if police officers are outside.
Follow the instructions of any police officer.
Make no attempt to move wounded people.
Call 911 when you are safe.
Listen for special instructions over the intercom.
HIDE-RUN-FIGHT
FIGHT
•
•
•
•
•
As the very last resort, and only when your life or the lives of those around you
are in imminent danger, you may decide to attempt to disrupt or incapacitate the
Active Shooter by attacking or distracting them. Some options may include:
Throwing items and improvising weapons such as a chair, a phone, laptop,
tablet, stapler, file, book or another easily accessible object.
Yelling or shouting at the aggressor in order to distract or frighten them.
Seeking control of the aggressor’s hands in order to limit their ability to use a
weapon.
Briefing the students to escape while you are attacking or distracting the Active
Shooter.
RUN-HIDE-FIGHT
RUN
•
•
•
Have an escape route and plan in mind
Leave your belongings behind
Keep your hands visible
RUN-HIDE-FIGHT
HIDE
•
•
•
Hide in an area out of the active shooter’s view
Block entry to your hiding place and lock the doors
Silence your cell phone and/or pager
RUN-HIDE-FIGHT
FIGHT
•
•
•
As a last resort and only when your life is in imminent
danger
Attempt to incapacitate the active shooter
Act with physical aggression and throw items at the
active shooter
•
•
•
•
•
Recommendations
For Preparedness
Threat / Vulnerability Assessments
Development and(or) update of existing plans
Fundamental training and provided information
Periodic practice through drills or “mock exercises”
Continuous improvement in plans, training,
technology, facility upgrades, etc.
ASSESS-PLAN-TRAIN-EXERCISE-REVISE
(APTER)
INDUSTRY
HEALTHCARE
ENTITIES
ASSESS
STATE
RESPONSE
AGENCIES
CITIES
REVISE
THE PERPETUAL
EMERGENCY
PREPAREDNESS MODEL
EXERCISE
TRAIN
PLAN
FEDERAL
RESPONSE
AGENCIES
COUNTIES
ASSESSMENT
•
Sometimes regulatory driven (ie. PSM, RMP, CSAT, General Duty Clause)
•
Conduct Hazard Vulnerability Assessments (HVAs)
•
Utilize the team approach
•
Assess by department/facility
•
Assess based on geography
•
Identify your hazards and prioritize them
•
Hazards are your “known's”
•
Risks are derived from your hazards
•
HVAs can be done utilizing software, contractors or in-house teams
•
Do internal, use contractor, use insurance carrier, or a combination of more than one
ASSESS
PLANNING FOR EMERGENCIES
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Emergency Action Plan (EAP)
Emergency Operations Plan (EOP)
Business Continuity Plan (BCP)
Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP)
Continuity of Government Plan (COG)
Hazard Mitigation Plans
Task level checklists (TLCs)
PLAN
PLANNING FOR EMERGENCIEScontinued
 In the corporate world, plans must also address risks associated financial impact,
product recall, service failure, legislative/regulatory action, major executive change,
data breach, etc.
 Plans do not always need to be thick to be effective (bullet proof)
 However, plans do need to be integrated into an overall Crisis Management Plan
rather than in silos creating potential conflicts
 What you have must be tested and updated regularly
 Should include task level checklists (TLCs)
 Must be shared with community partners and employees to ensure familiarity
also allowing input for continuous improvement
PLAN
TRAINING
OPERATIONAL TRAINING
•
NIMS compliant Incident Command Training
•
ICS-100, ICS-200, ICS-300, ICS-400,
ICS-700, ICS-800
•
•
•
Communications Training
Active Shooter Plan and Preparedness Training
Site Specific EAP training
TRAIN
TRAINING-continued
EXECUTIVE LEVEL TRAINING
•
NIMS compliant Incident Command Training
•
•
•
•
ICS-402(designed for upper level management),
Public Information Officer (PIO)
EOC Operations (position specific)
Crisis Communications
TRAIN
•
•
•
•
•
TRAINING-continued
Must be required or mandated…often times employees are
required to attend yet they miss the training and never make
it up
LESS LECTURE AND MORE HANDS-ON (ie. filling out
forms, using plans/checklists, etc.)
Include community partners in your training programs
Enhance training for buy in with games and incentives.
Ensure training is not trying to “FEMAtize” a corporation,
but rather use knowledge of all the aforementioned areas to
better integrate with the national response system as well as
your own response
PLAN
EXERCISE / DRILLS FOR EMERGENCIES
•
•
•
Tabletop Exercises (TTX)
Discussion based
Should implement plans and checklists
Must be evaluated and strengths / weaknesses
recorded
–
–
–
Functional Exercises (FE)
More hands-on vs. discussion
Should involve multiple departments and(or)
locations
Must be evaluated and strengths / weaknesses
recorded
–
–
–
Full Scale Exercises (FSE)
“Boots on the ground”
Should involve outside agencies
Must be evaluated and strengths / weaknesses
recorded
–
–
–
EXERCISE
EXERCISE / DRILLS
FOR EMERGENCIES-continued
•
•
•
One of the most overlooked or avoided areas of the APTER™
model
Exercises/Drills are most of the time conducted to meet regulatory
or corporate mandates…usually not as effective as they need to be!!
Usually don’t involve community partners…which are the ones that
show up at your gate, invited or uninvited
•
Fire, EMS, EM, LE, News Media
PLAN
REVISE AND REPEAT
•
•
•
Say what you do…do what you say…document…practice…and
revise
Utilize captured information from exercise evaluations and take
corrective action!
Failure to take corrective action on ALL recorded deficiencies can
hamper the effectiveness of your emergency preparedness!!!!
REVISE
Key Points
•
•
•
•
•
IMPLEMENT UNIFIED INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM…train and
work with ALL employees and community partners
ENSURE AN EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM IS IN
PLACE…have a communications plan, have proper equipment, practice, and
be certain your communications is multi-faceted
BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS…Swapping
business cards for the first time during a real emergency is going to cost you
(injuries,job, reputation, money, embarrassment)
HAVE A PLAN…develop a practical plan, communicate the plan, and have a
system in place for updating the plan
TRAIN AND EXERCISE….Exercises can make a real incident turn out to be
minor vs. major due to relationships, pre-planning and preparedness
DO SOMETHING!
•
•
•
•
•
•
RUN-HIDE-FIGHT
HIDE-RUN-FIGHT (Adopted by N School System)
ALICE – Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate
Plan
Train
Practice
Questions?
Steve Naylor
Director of Sales and Business Development
EnviroSafe Consulting