In the past decade, there has been an alarming increase in the number of active shooter incidents in the United States. Just last year, there were mass shootings at a synagogue in Pittsburgh, a grocery store in Kentucky, and a high school in Florida. In response to this growing trend, many organizations are beefing up their security measures and investing in active shooter prevention training for their employees.
Active shooter prevention training can help employees understand what to do if they find themselves in an active shooter situation. The three main options are to run, hide, or fight. Of these, running is always the best option if it is possible to do so safely. If running is not an option, hiding is the next best choice. Employees should look for a place to hide where they will not be easily seen by the shooter and where they can barricade themselves in if necessary. As a last resort, employees can choose to fight back against the shooter. This option should only be used as a last resort because it is very dangerous and there is no guarantee that it will be successful.
Why Active Shooter Prevention Training Is Important
Active shooter training is important because it can literally save lives. In an active shooter situation, every second counts and knowing what to do can make all the difference. Employees who have been through active shooter prevention training will know how to react quickly and efficiently if they ever find themselves in such a situation.
Another reason why active shooter preparedness training is so important is because it can help decrease the number of casualties in an active shooter situation. Every year, there are tragically dozens of people killed and hundreds more injured in mass shootings. While some of these incidents cannot be prevented, others could be if more people were trained in how to respond correctly. Active shooter prevention training gives employees the tools they need to potentially save lives during an active shooter incident.
Active Shooter Prevention training can also help reduce liability for employers. In today's litigious society, employers can be held liable for any injuries or deaths that occur on their property—even if they are not directly responsible for them. By providing active shooter prevention training for their employees, employers can show that they have taken steps to provide a safe environment and that they are not responsible if something happens despite their efforts.
Active shooter prevention training is more important than ever before. With mass shootings becoming more common, it is crucial that employees know how to react if they find themselves in an active shooter situation. Running, hiding, or fighting back could mean the difference between life and death—so it's important to be prepared. Providing active shooter prevention training for your employees shows that you care about their safety and that you are committed to providing a safe workplace for everyone.
What Every Good Active Shooter Prevention Training Should Include
Active shooter preparedness training in action
In the wake of the tragic mass shootings that have occurred in recent years, more and more schools, businesses, and churches are wanting to be proactive in their approach to safety by providing active shooter prevention training for their staff and students. While this is a step in the right direction, it's important to make sure that the training being provided is comprehensive and effective. Here are four key components that every good active shooter prevention training should include.
Active shooter prevention training in Los Angeles
1. Proper identification of an active shooter.
An active shooter is defined as 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. It's important for everyone attending the training to understand exactly what an active shooter is so that they can be on the lookout for warning signs and act quickly if necessary.
2. Warning signs of an active shooter.
Active shooters typically display warning signs before they carry out their attack. It's important for those attending the training to know what some of these warning signs are so that they can be alert for them both in others and in themselves. Some common warning signs of an active shooter include making concerning statements, exhibiting aggressive behavior, expressing a desire to hurt others, stockpiling weapons, and conducting target practice.
3. Run, hide, fight.
The run, hide, fight method is a last resort option for surviving an active shooter situation and should only be used when all other options have been exhausted. Those attending the training should be familiar with all three steps of this method so that they can act quickly and decisively if necessary.
4. Proper way to report suspicious activity.
It's crucial for those attending the training to know how to properly report suspicious activity so that law enforcement can be alerted as soon as possible. Whomever is leading the training should provide attendees with a specific list of who to contact and what information should be included in the report. For example, if the training is taking place at a school, attendees should know to contact the school resource officer or local police department immediately upon seeing anything suspicious and should be prepared to give a description of the person/situation as well as where they are currently located.
Active shooter prevention training is becoming increasingly commonplace in today's society but it's important to make sure that the training being provided is comprehensive and effective. The best way to do this is by ensuring that four key components are included: proper identification of an active shooter, warning signs of an active shooter, run hide fight method, and proper way to report suspicious activity. By including these components in your next active shooter prevention training, you can help keep your staff or students safe in the event of a worst-case scenario scenario.
No one ever wants to think about the possibility of an active shooter in their workplace, church, or school. But the sad reality is that these types of attacks are becoming more and more common. It's important to be prepared and know what to do if you ever find yourself in this type of situation.
The Department of Homeland Security recommends that people follow the "Run, Hide, Fight" model if they find themselves in an active shooter situation.
There are three general options for responding to an active shooter: run, hide, or fight. Each option has its own set of pros and cons, and the best option for you will depend on your specific circumstances. Let's take a closer look at each option.
Option 1: Run
If there is an escape route available, taking it is your best bet. You should always try to get away from the shooter if you can do so safely. Limit your exposure to the shooter by staying out of their line of sight and moving quickly but quietly. If possible, warn others who may be in danger as you are fleeing. Once you are out of the immediate area, call 911 and report where the shooting is taking place and any other relevant information.
Option 2: Hide
If you can't safely get away from the shooter, your next best option is to hide. Find a place where the shooter is less likely to find you, such as a closet or under a desk. Stay quiet and don't come out until law enforcement arrives and gives you the all clear. If possible, lock the door or barricade yourself in with heavy furniture to make it more difficult for the shooter to get to you. Again, once you are in a safe location, call 911 and provide them with as much information as possible about the situation.
Option 3: Fight
As a last resort, if you can't run or hide from the shooter, your only option may be to fight back. This should only be done as a last resort and only if you believe that your life is in imminent danger. Use whatever items you have available to you as weapons—chairs, fire extinguishers, books, whatever you can find—and aim for the most vulnerable parts of the shooter's body such as their head or chest. Be prepared for close-quarters combat and act with as much physical aggression as possible. The goal is to disable or disarm the shooter so that others can escape. And once again, once you are in a safe location, call 911 immediately and provide them with any relevant information about the situation.
No one ever wants to find themselves in an active shooter situation but unfortunately, these types of incidents are becoming more and more common. It's important to be prepared and know what to do if you ever find yourself in this type of situation. There are three general options for responding to an active shooter: run, hide or fight. The best option for you will depend on your specific circumstances but always remember that your safety is paramount. Once you are in a safe location, call 911 immediately and provide them with any relevant information about the situation so that law enforcement can help apprehend the shooter as quickly as possible.
Contact ITAC to learn more about our Active Shooter Prevention and Preparedness Training.
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