wrearick
Regular Member
Had the pleasure (read: pain) of attending mandatory "Active Shooter Training" today. First off, they will only announce an incident as a "Hostile Event" is occurring, because this response plan deals with more than just gunfire.
The idiocy of some of the statements ran along the lines of Q: How do we know if it is safe to exit the building? A: You will be told when it is safe and if early on in the incident before Law Enforcement arrives, use your best judgement. If you make it to the muster area it must have been safe, so maybe let a friend try first.
Q: Do you or your security folks have access to any weapons in the building? A: I can't tell you that.
Basically, the "Plan" is put as many locked doors between you and the bad folks as possible and excape the building if you can.....but remember when you exit the building walk calmly, upright, with your hands over your head so the good guys don't shoot you.
DHS has an active shooter response handbook they put out in Oct 2008 which has some other interesting bits of wisdom...
"PROFILE OF AN ACTIVE SHOOTERAn Active Shooter is an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area; in most cases, active shooters use firearms(s) and there is no pattern or method to their selection of victims. Active shooter situations are unpredictable and evolve quickly. Typically, the immediate deployment of law enforcement is required to stop the shooting and mitigate harm to victims. Because active shooter situations are often over within 10 to 15 minutes, before law enforcement arrives on the scene, individuals must be prepared both mentally and physically to deal with an active shooter situation." (quotes and highlights added by OP
As a last resort, attempt to take the active shooter down. When the shooter is at close range and you cannot flee, your chance of survival is much greater if you try to incapacitate him/her.
In order you should:
1. evacuate
2. hide out
3. take action against the active shooter.
HOW TO RESPOND WHEN LAW ENFORCEMENT ARRIVES Law enforcement’s purpose is to stop the active shooter as soon as possible. Officers will proceed directly to the area in which the last shots were heard. • Officers usually arrive in teams of four (4)• Officers may wear regular patrol uniforms or external bulletproof vests, Kevlar helmets, and other tactical equipment• Officers may be armed with rifles, shotguns, handguns• Officers may use pepper spray or tear gas to control the situation• Officers may shout commands, and may push individuals to the ground for their safety.
How to react when law enforcement arrives:• Remain calm, and follow officers’ instructions• Put down any items in your hands (i.e., bags, jackets) • Immediately raise hands and spread fingers• Keep hands visible at all times• Avoid making quick movements toward officers such as holding on to them for safety• Avoid pointing, screaming and/or yelling• Do not stop to ask officers for help or direction when evacuating, just proceed in the direction from which officers are entering the premises
Too much!
The idiocy of some of the statements ran along the lines of Q: How do we know if it is safe to exit the building? A: You will be told when it is safe and if early on in the incident before Law Enforcement arrives, use your best judgement. If you make it to the muster area it must have been safe, so maybe let a friend try first.
Q: Do you or your security folks have access to any weapons in the building? A: I can't tell you that.
Basically, the "Plan" is put as many locked doors between you and the bad folks as possible and excape the building if you can.....but remember when you exit the building walk calmly, upright, with your hands over your head so the good guys don't shoot you.
DHS has an active shooter response handbook they put out in Oct 2008 which has some other interesting bits of wisdom...
"PROFILE OF AN ACTIVE SHOOTERAn Active Shooter is an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area; in most cases, active shooters use firearms(s) and there is no pattern or method to their selection of victims. Active shooter situations are unpredictable and evolve quickly. Typically, the immediate deployment of law enforcement is required to stop the shooting and mitigate harm to victims. Because active shooter situations are often over within 10 to 15 minutes, before law enforcement arrives on the scene, individuals must be prepared both mentally and physically to deal with an active shooter situation." (quotes and highlights added by OP
As a last resort, attempt to take the active shooter down. When the shooter is at close range and you cannot flee, your chance of survival is much greater if you try to incapacitate him/her.
In order you should:
1. evacuate
2. hide out
3. take action against the active shooter.
HOW TO RESPOND WHEN LAW ENFORCEMENT ARRIVES Law enforcement’s purpose is to stop the active shooter as soon as possible. Officers will proceed directly to the area in which the last shots were heard. • Officers usually arrive in teams of four (4)• Officers may wear regular patrol uniforms or external bulletproof vests, Kevlar helmets, and other tactical equipment• Officers may be armed with rifles, shotguns, handguns• Officers may use pepper spray or tear gas to control the situation• Officers may shout commands, and may push individuals to the ground for their safety.
How to react when law enforcement arrives:• Remain calm, and follow officers’ instructions• Put down any items in your hands (i.e., bags, jackets) • Immediately raise hands and spread fingers• Keep hands visible at all times• Avoid making quick movements toward officers such as holding on to them for safety• Avoid pointing, screaming and/or yelling• Do not stop to ask officers for help or direction when evacuating, just proceed in the direction from which officers are entering the premises
Too much!