You’re at work, and all of a sudden, you hear gunfire. How do you respond?
Since most active shooter incidents are over before law enforcement arrives on the scene, you have to respond better and faster. As a business owner, manager, or employee, the ability to run, hide, or fight is paramount to saving lives, including your own.
Unfortunately, in 2021 there have been more than 50 mass shootings thus far in the United States. Listen to Tim’s take on why this is happening with his interview with Ray Horner of WAKR
Profile of an Active Shooter
An active shooter actively engages in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined space or other populated areas. In most cases, active shooters use firearms, and there is no pattern or method to their selection of victims. They may be motivated by revenge, anger, or ideology.
Once the attack begins, the shooter moves throughout the building or area until stopped by law enforcement, suicide, or other intervention.
Preparedness and awareness are the keys to helping protect your employees, your customers, and yourselves.
Train Employees How to Prepare and Respond
Prepare
- Mark all doors on the inside. If an employee has to duck into an unknown office in a large office, they have to know where they are.
- Mark all exits.
- Train employees yearly as active shooting protocol may change from time to time. Run unplanned exercises throughout the year to ensure all employees know their escape routes and what to do.
- Implement “see something, say something.” If you see violent actions by an employee, bullying, hearing a plan to kill or hurt others, report it immediately. Your early efforts may stop an active shooting from happening in the first place.
Respond
- RUN: If you suspect a potential active shooter situation, run away from the shooting in a zig-zag formation as far and fast as you can. Leave your belongings behind and keep your hands visible. Keep running until you are safe or you see law enforcement.
- HIDE: If evacuation is impossible, find a place to hide where the active shooter is less likely to see you. Lock any doors, turn out the lights and block entry to your hiding place using heavy items. Remain quiet and silence all cell phones. Turn off any other sources of noise.
- FIGHT: As a last resort, use physical aggression, throwing items such as chairs, scissors, and fire extinguishers at the active shooter, or other means to stop them physically. Yell loudly and commit to bringing them down.
Remember, preparation is a critical factor in preventing an active shooter or other violent situation.
Need Active Shooter Training for Your Business?
Contact Tim or call 330-730-3424 today to schedule a consultation.
