Should Your Company Have Active Shooter Protocols in Place?

Active shooter incidents are unfortunately a serious threat in the United States, leading to devastating tragedies in schools and workplaces alike. To safeguard your employees and your business, it is crucial to have comprehensive active shooter protocols in place.

This article will guide you through understanding what active shooter events are, the importance of setting up proactive protocols, and practical steps your company can take to be better prepared.

Understanding Active Shooter Incidents

An active shooter event is defined as a situation where an individual attacks others using firearms in a public place or workplace. These tragedies can happen in various settings, including schools and offices. Active shooters may be motivated by personal grievances, ideological beliefs, or a range of other factors. Regardless of their reasons, these incidents can result in severe losses of life and long-lasting impacts on the well-being of your employees.

These incidents not only involve immediate danger but also potential long-term consequences. They may require extensive remodeling of the affected area, increasing the financial burden on your company. Furthermore, they can significantly affect the psychological safety and security of your workforce, making it difficult to regain a sense of normalcy.

The Importance of Active Shooter Protocols

Proactive measures, such as having well-defined active shooter protocols, can help mitigate some of these negative impacts. These protocols provide clear instructions for employees on how to react in the event of an active shooter situation.

How to Set Up Active Shooter Protocols

Active shooter protocols are designed to guide employee behavior during such incidents. They ensure that if an employee feels threatened, they have a method to report it to company authorities. This early warning could allow your company to take preventive measures.

During an active shooter incident, your employees should be trained to follow the following steps:

Evacuation and Survival Strategies

Run: The first priority for your employees should be to evacuate the area as quickly and safely as possible. They should leave belongings behind and ensure that no one follows them into the area surrounding the active shooter. Hide: If evacuation is not possible, hiding in a secure location, such as a room with a locked door, is the next best option. Employees should ensure that electronic devices are silenced and remain as quiet and calm as possible. Fight: Acting against the active shooter, as a last resort, can involve yelling, throwing objects, using an improvised weapon, or taking other forms of aggressive action to protect themselves and others.

Your protocols should also include guidance for responding to the arrival of law enforcement. Employees should be trained to remain calm and provide accurate information, including the shooter’s location, number, physical description, and any weapons they may have. This information can help law enforcement units to quickly assess the situation and respond effectively.

Preparing Your Company for an Active Shooter Incident

To prepare your company for such incidents, consider the following steps:

Create an Emergency Action Plan (EAP)

An Emergency Action Plan (EAP) should include:

Methods for employees to report emergencies Evacuation and emergency escape policies Contact information for local hospitals

By having these measures in place, your employees will be better prepared to act swiftly and safely in the event of an active shooter situation.

Conduct Training Exercises

Organizing and conducting training exercises can help your employees practice:

Acting quickly Identifying gunshots Contacting 911 Using survival skills Responding appropriately to law enforcement

These exercises can empower your staff with the necessary skills to react effectively during a critical situation, potentially saving lives and minimizing harm.

Conclusion

Implementing active shooter protocols emphasizes the importance of proactive safety measures in today’s workplace. By preparing your company for such incidents, you can create a safer environment for your employees and help prevent the devastating impacts of active shooter events.