preparing for active shooter incidents...•blair, j. p. (2013). active shooter events and response....

Preparing for Active Shooter Incidents

Lieutenant Norman Preston

Kentucky State Police

norman.preston@ky.gov

•Ripley, A. (2008). The unthinkable: Who survives when disaster strikes and why. New York: Crown.•Blair, J. P. (2013). Active shooter events and response. Florida: CRC Press.•United States., Department of Health and Human Services., Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response. (2015). Planning and response to an active shooter an interagency security committee policy and best practices guide. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

•Kelly, R. W. (2011). Active shooter recommendations and analysis for risk mitigation. New York, NY: NYPD Printing Section.

•Blair, J. P., & Schweit, K. W. (2014). A study of active shooter incidents in the United States between 2000 and 2013. Washington D.C.

My definition--One or more suspects actively firing weapons in a public place

FBI definition—An individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated

area

A Brief History of Violence

• 6.4--Average number of yearly incidents in the first seven years (2000-2006).

• 16.4--Average number of yearly incidents in the last seven years (2007-2013)

• 107 (67%) incidents ended before police arrived

• In all but two of the 160 incidents, the shooter chose to act alone

• In 64 incidents where the duration of the incident could be ascertained, 44 incidents (69%) ended in five minutes or less, with 23 (36%) ending in two minutes or less

•Revenge (real or perceived)

•Disgruntled employee

•Failed relationship

•Political/Religious beliefs

•Mentally ill

•Unknown

Ripley’s Three Phases Of Response To Disaster:

1. Denial

Contrary to the common perception of panic and people stampeding, it is more common for people to deny the disaster is happening (WTC 09/11 attacks)

“Normalcy Bias”—our brains tend to interpret information as if it part of our everyday experience

Social Proof—the tendency to look to other people for cues about how to behave in novel or ambiguous situations. If most people are calm, the group will tend to remain calm. If others are panicking, that panic will tend to

spread.

A single prepared individual can help set the tone for the group and save their

lives.

Ripley’s Three Phases of Response to Disaster:

2. Deliberation

Decide what to do—”the effects of life-threatening stress on bodily systems severely limit the ability to perceive information and make plans”

The instinctive, subconscious brain is always quicker than the conscious, rational brain (think about the flinch reflex)

How does stress affect this relationship?

• Given enough stress, everyone loses the ability to think rationally. The amount required for this varies from person to person.

So what do we need to do?

• Keep the conscious, rational brain functioning longer.

• Use willpower, breathe, stay in good physical condition (more fit generally=more capable to cope with stress).

• Habituate to likely stressful events; this is where realistic training lowers stress during actual events.

• Act--taking action, any action, can help give some sense of control and help reduce stress response.

Ripley’s Three Phases of Response to Disaster

3. The Decisive Moment: “The sudden distillation of everything that has come before and it determines what, if anything will come after.”

If you have a plan, this is where you execute it. If you don’t have a plan, this is where your lack of preparation is revealed

Lessons Learned

1. Everything during the incident happens incredibly fast—only seconds to make vital decisions

2. There may be indicators to look for in advance of an incident—be alert. “If you see something, say something”

3. We must be proactive in enacting proper security measures and training—don’t assume “it can’t happen here”

4. Recognize the impact on staff and families—news outlets and social media will go crazy, family members will be worried, etc.

Have a policy in place:

Sample-”We place the highest priority on the preservation of the lives of our employees and customers. If an active shooter should occur, our employees shall use the “run, hide, fight” model.

• Run-have an escape route and plan in mind, leave your belongings behind, help others escape if possible, keep your hands visible.

• Hide—in an area out of the shooter’s view, lockd oorsor block entry, silence your cell phone.

• Fight—as a last resort. Attempt to incapacitate the shooter by any means possible, act with as much physical aggression as possible, improvise weapons, be committed—your life depends on it.

Sample Policy cont.,

• Regardless of the option(s) utilized, employees should call 911 as soon as it is safe to do so.

• In the event of an active shooter incident, all employees will be required to undergo mandatory mental health counseling.”

• Appoint a safety officer

• Prepare a response plan—this can be part of an overall safety plan, not just a standalone document

• Incorporate regular training and drills

• Legal considerations regarding building occupants—both employees and customers/clients

• Identify potential threats—irate customer, disgruntled employee, etc.

• “If you see something, say something.” Better safe than sorry

• Train staff to overcome denial and to respond immediately (refer back to 3 phases of disaster response)

• Develop a relationship with local first responders (Fire, EMS, Police)

• Communications/Media Protocols

The incident is not over just because the suspects have been stopped:

• Account for everyone at designated assembly points

• Coordinate with first responders to locate anyone missing

• Determine the best method to notify families of individuals affected by the incident

• Determine a transition plan that includes when to resume normal operations-the entire area is now a crime scene that must be processed

• Where the immediate reunification of family members is not possible, providing family members with timely, accurate, and relevant information is paramount.

• Identify a safe location separate from distractions and/or media and the general public, but close enough to allow family members to feel connected in proximity to their children/loved ones: schedule periodic updates even if no additional information is available.

• It is best to avoid making promises that cannot be kept with regard to timing of identification and release of victims’ remains.

• Consider printed and age-appropriate resources to help families recognize and seek help with regard to a variety of reactions that they or their loved ones can experience during and after an emergency.

• “Psychological First Aid.” http://www.nctsn.org/sites/default/files/pfa/english/1-psyfirstaid_final_complete_manual.pdf

For More Information

Contact:

Lt. Norman Preston

Kentucky State Police

norman.preston@ky.gov

(859) 684-5104