Preparing for the Worst: How to Respond to an Active Shooter II
This article assumes you are not armed and not equipped or trained to fight back. This is the information you need to share with kids or people who don’t carry, or to bear in mind if you are visiting an establishment which bans personal firearms (i.e. the places most likely to be targeted.) Importantly, have a plan for any situation and always have an exit plan in your head.
Deadly terrorist attacks, homicidal maniacs and criminals continue to launch attacks across the world and have many wondering how they can be safe even in the United States or Western Europe.
This violence has been conducted with a range of weapons—including a suicide bomb in Ansbach, Germany, a truck in Nice, France, a rifle at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida, schools across our nation, and a pistol in Munich, Germany.
Such violence will likely continue and every American should take the time to think about what they would do if they found themselves in danger. Specifically, do you know what you would do if you were in an active shooter situation?
The FBI and Department of Homeland Security recommend the “Run, Hide, Fight” plan. (Video above) When a shooting occurs, it is only natural for many folks to freeze or forget what they should do. “Run, Hide, Fight” provides an easy to remember plan for survival.
Second, if you can’t safely run away, hide. Barricade doors and turn lights off. Take cover behind large objects and try to be as silent as possible.
Third, and finally, if you cannot safely run or hide, be prepared to fight. Improvise weapons and commit to defending yourself.
Consider how you would use “Run, Hide, Fight” at your place of work or other places you frequent. Importantly, check to see if your work has an active shooter plan that may be different. If no plan exists, ask for your company to create one.
Policy
From a policy perspective, the U.S. should also ensure that state and local law enforcement are trained to respond to active shooters as the local police are likely going to be the first to respond to such incidents and stop the shooter. The Department of Homeland Security operates the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers, which provide training to local, state, federal, and foreign law enforcement officers on how to respond to a myriad of issues.
Congress should expand the Active Shooter Threat Training Program and corresponding instructor training program to ensure that the first line of response is able to engage the threat and stop further loss of life.
While the best way to stop terrorists is good proactive intelligence and law enforcement work beforehand that prevents them from ever getting to their target, the reality is that terrorists and criminals alike will inevitably succeed and we should all be prepared to respond if we find ourselves in a worst-case situation.
COMMENTARY BY
David Inserra specializes in cyber and homeland security policy, including protection of critical infrastructure, as policy analyst in The Heritage Foundation’s Allison Center for Foreign Policy Studies. Read his research.