An active shooter is an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area. It’s an unfortunate risk that businesses need to consider when assessing exposures. To best prepare your staff for an active shooter situation, create an emergency action plan (EAP) and conduct training exercises. Together, they will prepare your staff to effectively respond and help minimize loss of life.
Elements of an Emergency Action Plan (EAP)
Create the EAP with input from several stakeholders, including HR, your training department (if one exists), facility owners or operators, your property manager and local emergency responders. An effective EAP includes:
- A preferred method for reporting active shooter events and other emergencies
- An evacuation policy and procedure
- Emergency escape procedures and route assignments (e.g., floor plans, safe areas)
- Contact information and responsibilities of individuals to be contacted under the EAP
- Information concerning local area hospitals (e.g., the name, telephone number, distance from your location)
- An emergency notification system to alert various parties of an emergency, including:
- Individuals at remote locations within premises
- Local law enforcement
- Area hospitals
Components of Training Exercises
The most effective way to train your staff to respond to an active shooter situation is to conduct mock training exercises. Local law enforcement is an excellent resource in designing training exercises.
Training components may include:
- Recognizing the sound of gunshots
- Reacting quickly when gunshots are heard and/or when a shooting is witnessed
- Evacuating the area
- Hiding
- Acting against the shooter as a last resort
- Calling 911
- Reacting properly when law enforcement arrives
- Adopting the survival mindset during times of crisis
Steps to Improve Preparedness
- Ensure your facility has at least two evacuation routes.
- Post evacuation routes in conspicuous locations throughout your facility.
- Include local law enforcement and first responders during training exercises.
- Encourage law enforcement, emergency responders, SWAT teams, K-9 teams and bomb squads to train for an active shooter scenario at your location.
- Conduct effective employee screening and background checks.
- Create a system for reporting signs of potentially violent behavior.
- Make counseling services available to employees.
- Develop an EAP that includes policies and procedures for dealing with an active shooter situation, including planning for recovery after an incident.
We're Here to Help
While preparation is certainly key to preventing and responding to an active shooter incident, you should also consider active shooter insurance. This type of coverage can cover unexpected expenses if an incident does occur. For more information on active shooter risk controls and protection, connect with a member of our team.