Active Shooter Preparedness Webinar

DHS has trained tens of thousands of stakeholders through their National Active Shooter Workshop program. This digital edition webinar, led by Mark Kraft, a retired federal law enforcement officer, aims to help participants understand emerging threats, develop response strategies, and build relationships with first responders. The information is produced by CISA and available online. The webinar's goal is to discuss the nature of threats and help attendees develop or update their response plans.

The webinar covers six areas: recognition, prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery. The presentation emphasizes the importance of recognizing the threat of active shooter events, understanding their nature, and planning effectively. The FBI's definition of an active shooter event and their studies on such incidents highlight the importance of preparedness and response strategies.

This section provides a historical timeline of significant active shooter incidents, starting from the Texas Tower shooting in 1966 to recent events like the Pulse nightclub shooting. The evolution of law enforcement tactics and the unique challenges posed by each incident are discussed, emphasizing the need for continuous learning and adaptation in response strategies.

The recognition of active shooter threats involves understanding the different types of shootings and their motivations. The FBI's studies categorize various incidents and highlight the randomness of active shooter events. The importance of recognizing and planning for such threats is underscored, along with the need for effective communication and response strategies within organizations.

Prevention focuses on training employees to recognize behaviors indicating potential violence and establishing a positive culture for reporting concerns. Key elements include understanding stressors, community and workplace dynamics, and the pathway to violence. Early intervention and developing organizational capabilities to address potential threats are crucial components of prevention.

The pathway to violence starts with a grievance, leading to violent ideation, research and planning, pre-attack preparation, and probing and breaching. Recognizing these stages and understanding the behavioral indicators can help organizations intervene early. Dr. Gene Deisinger explains the escalation process and emphasizes the need for timely response and intervention.

Organizations need to establish clear reporting mechanisms and assess threats effectively. Identifying early warning signs and creating a threat assessment team are vital steps. The importance of ongoing outreach and engagement, as well as the role of different team members in assessing and managing threats, are discussed.

Protection involves implementing physical barriers and security measures to dissuade an active shooter. The balance between creating barriers and ensuring law enforcement can respond effectively is highlighted. Various security measures, such as electronic access, layered security, and the role of security guards, are discussed.

The 'Run, Hide, Fight' strategy is a continuum of actions individuals can take during an active shooter event. The video explains this approach, emphasizing the need to commit to one's decision and continuously reassess the situation. Training and preparation can significantly improve individuals' chances of survival.

Immediate notification of all occupants about an active shooter is crucial for effective response. Multiple communication methods should be used, and clear, concise messaging is essential. The importance of maintaining emergency communication channels and ensuring everyone is aware of emergency protocols is emphasized.

When an active shooter incident occurs, law enforcement's primary goal is to eliminate the threat. Coordination with first responders, understanding law enforcement priorities, and training employees on how to respond during such events are critical. The response times and strategies of law enforcement in different incidents are analyzed.

Law enforcement response involves fast teams engaging the threat and coordinating with emergency personnel. The importance of following law enforcement instructions, not moving toward officers, and understanding the roles of different response teams is discussed. The blending of medical and law enforcement responses to create safe zones for treating the injured is also highlighted.

Tactical Emergency Casualty Care, such as the 'Stop the Bleed' program, focuses on immediate medical intervention to save lives. The availability of medical kits, training personnel in emergency care, and utilizing internal expertise can enhance preparedness. The importance of addressing medical needs during an active shooter event is emphasized.

Managing the media response and public information during an active shooter incident is crucial. Identifying a trained spokesperson, disseminating accurate information, and controlling rumors are key steps. Coordination with law enforcement public information officers and planning for media interaction in advance are recommended.

Recovery involves both short-term actions, like health and safety, crisis support, and reunification, and long-term considerations, such as mental health care and memorials. Planning for recovery should include identifying resources and support systems. The video features survivors discussing their experiences and the importance of addressing PTSD and finding a new normal.

Various resources and planning tools are available to aid in developing and implementing active shooter preparedness plans. Organizations like the I Love You Guys Foundation provide templates and models for reunification and recovery. Utilizing these resources can help organizations plan effectively for all stages of an active shooter event.

The planning process involves forming a team, conducting a risk assessment, setting goals and objectives, drafting the plan, and gaining approval. Involving diverse stakeholders, including law enforcement and people with disabilities, is crucial. The process should also include regular training and exercises to ensure preparedness.

A risk assessment identifies threats, vulnerabilities, and potential consequences. The four types of threats—criminals, customers/clients, co-workers, and personal relationships—should be evaluated to determine the most significant risk. This assessment helps prioritize planning and preparedness efforts.

Goals provide broad statements of intent, while objectives are specific, measurable actions to achieve those goals. For example, notification goals might include objectives for internal and external communication. Developing detailed action steps helps ensure that each objective is met effectively.

Drafting a comprehensive plan involves outlining specific actions, responsibilities, and resources. The plan should be accessible and understandable to all stakeholders. Gaining approval from senior leadership and legal counsel is crucial to ensure the plan is viable and compliant with regulations.

Training and exercises are essential for preparedness. Options include seminars, tabletop exercises, games, drills, and full-scale exercises. Each type of exercise helps identify gaps and improve response capabilities. Documenting training and involving part-time employees and volunteers are also important steps.

A progressive training approach involves starting with seminars and workshops, moving to tabletop exercises and drills, and eventually conducting full-scale exercises. This step-by-step method helps organizations gradually build and test their preparedness plans. An 18-month roadmap provides a structured timeline for implementing training and exercises.