September 20121

Campus Emergency Response Campus Emergency Response to Active Violence to Active Violence

September 2012September 2012

Inspector Penny Inspector Penny FischerFischer

Homeland Security and Planning Homeland Security and Planning DivisionDivision

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AGENDA

• Lessons Learned from previous incidents for how to handle “active violence incidents” (AVI)– “Hands-on” tactics

• In an emergency, what do you do?Alert and NotificationEmergency Action TeamsIndividual level preparedness

Oversight within your office spaces

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Michigan State University Michigan State University Police Department Police Department

• Proactive training for all police officers and the Proactive training for all police officers and the community for emergency preparedness, community for emergency preparedness, response, and recovery.response, and recovery.

• Develops Emergency Action Teams and Plans Develops Emergency Action Teams and Plans for each building on campus.for each building on campus.

• Coordinates planning and training and shares Coordinates planning and training and shares information with local, county, state and federal information with local, county, state and federal agencies.agencies.

• Develops and maintains campus notification Develops and maintains campus notification systems.systems.

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Columbine: The AttackColumbine: The Attack

• Two students fired 188 shots, killing 13 and wounding 24 in under Two students fired 188 shots, killing 13 and wounding 24 in under 20 minutes.20 minutes.

• 76 explosive devices planted at the school, 2 diversionary devices, 76 explosive devices planted at the school, 2 diversionary devices, 13 found in their cars, and 8 in their homes, totaling 99 explosive 13 found in their cars, and 8 in their homes, totaling 99 explosive devices.devices.

• Two propane bombs in cafeteria could have killed 600+ if they had Two propane bombs in cafeteria could have killed 600+ if they had worked properly.worked properly.

• The original plan called to kill as many people with the bombs as The original plan called to kill as many people with the bombs as possible and then kill others as they exited the school.possible and then kill others as they exited the school.

• Their hatred of the world and their school was well documented and Their hatred of the world and their school was well documented and although they had a kill list, not a single person on it was killed. although they had a kill list, not a single person on it was killed. They wanted a spectacle of death and destruction and had no They wanted a spectacle of death and destruction and had no intention of living.intention of living.

• Well planned, poorly executedWell planned, poorly executed

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Columbine: Lessons LearnedColumbine: Lessons Learned

• Incidents are spontaneousIncidents are spontaneous• Suspect(s) are unpredictableSuspect(s) are unpredictable• Pre-incident signs were evidentPre-incident signs were evident• Incidents involve target rich environmentsIncidents involve target rich environments• First responders were outgunned and not First responders were outgunned and not

sufficiently trainedsufficiently trained• Tactical intervention too late to effectively Tactical intervention too late to effectively

resolve the situationresolve the situation• Multi-jurisdictional issues evidentMulti-jurisdictional issues evident

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Columbine: Learning from Columbine: Learning from TragedyTragedy

• Most important: Changed attitude of sitting Most important: Changed attitude of sitting and waiting for the “cavalry” (SWAT) to go and waiting for the “cavalry” (SWAT) to go in as soon as possible and putting an end in as soon as possible and putting an end to the threat.to the threat.

• Gave birth to new tactics and training and Gave birth to new tactics and training and the idea of the “active violence incident”.the idea of the “active violence incident”.

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Virginia Tech: The AttackVirginia Tech: The Attack• One lone gunman preplanned the event, even running through a dry One lone gunman preplanned the event, even running through a dry

run several days before the event.  run several days before the event.  – Knew there were only three entrances that he chained from the inside so Knew there were only three entrances that he chained from the inside so

even if the students got out of the classroom, they didn’t have too many even if the students got out of the classroom, they didn’t have too many places to goplaces to go

– It was later learned that a student saw one door chained and walked around It was later learned that a student saw one door chained and walked around to try to get out a different door before the shooting stopped, but never saw to try to get out a different door before the shooting stopped, but never saw that as unusual or something to call police aboutthat as unusual or something to call police about

• Officers couldn’t get in right away either even though their SWAT was Officers couldn’t get in right away either even though their SWAT was already on campus for the gunman’s original shooting three hours already on campus for the gunman’s original shooting three hours earlier. earlier.

• Even when SWAT arrived, they were stymied by the chains on the Even when SWAT arrived, they were stymied by the chains on the doors until they could get a bolt cutter.  doors until they could get a bolt cutter. 

• 22 college students died sitting in their chairs22 college students died sitting in their chairs– The gunman came in and shot the front rowThe gunman came in and shot the front row

• No one moved and he returned 30 seconds laterNo one moved and he returned 30 seconds later– The gunman then shot the second row and again, no one moved. The gunman then shot the second row and again, no one moved. 

• If the shooter can preplan an event, then we should have an escape If the shooter can preplan an event, then we should have an escape plan for your building before a shooter occurs there.plan for your building before a shooter occurs there.

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““Active Violence” DefinedActive Violence” Defined

• Suspect(s) using a weapon in an ongoing Suspect(s) using a weapon in an ongoing assault causing the immediate death or assault causing the immediate death or serious injury of multiple victims.serious injury of multiple victims.

• The situation is not contained and there is The situation is not contained and there is immediate risk of continued danger to immediate risk of continued danger to other victims.other victims.

+ Our philosophy: We will neutralize that + Our philosophy: We will neutralize that threat!threat!

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The “Active Violence Incident”The “Active Violence Incident”

• Desire is to kill and seriously injure without Desire is to kill and seriously injure without concern for his/her safety or threat of capture.concern for his/her safety or threat of capture.

• Normally has intended victims and will search Normally has intended victims and will search them out.them out.

• Accepts targets of opportunity while searching Accepts targets of opportunity while searching for or after finding intended victims.for or after finding intended victims.

• Will continue to move throughout building/Will continue to move throughout building/

area until stopped by law enforcement, suicide, area until stopped by law enforcement, suicide, or other intervention.or other intervention.

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Michigan State University Michigan State University Can We Close it Down?Can We Close it Down?

• Main Campus spans Main Campus spans approximately 8 square approximately 8 square milesmiles

• 23 Residence hall 23 Residence hall buildings and apartment buildings and apartment complexescomplexes

• Almost 700 total buildings Almost 700 total buildings on campuson campus

• 27 miles of roadway and 27 miles of roadway and 100 miles of sidewalks100 miles of sidewalks

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On-Scene Response On-Scene Response

Two special police response units may be calledTwo special police response units may be calledinto action in the event of an armed encounter.into action in the event of an armed encounter.

Active Violence Incident Teams (AVI)Active Violence Incident Teams (AVI)• All MSU police officers and mutual aid agencies trained in this All MSU police officers and mutual aid agencies trained in this

protocol and recertify bi-annuallyprotocol and recertify bi-annually• Rapid-response, national best-practice protocol to stop the threat Rapid-response, national best-practice protocol to stop the threat

from someone actively using a weapon from someone actively using a weapon • Allows life saving action to be taken until a tactical team (next slide) Allows life saving action to be taken until a tactical team (next slide)

arrives arrives

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On-Scene Response On-Scene Response

Special Response Team (SRT)Special Response Team (SRT)• Local tactical team includes MSU PoliceLocal tactical team includes MSU Police• Uses scenario-based training Uses scenario-based training • Can activate a full variety of resources to Can activate a full variety of resources to

assess and respond to a situation in which assess and respond to a situation in which someone is threatening the community someone is threatening the community

• Requires a minimal period of time to Requires a minimal period of time to activate, equip, and arrive at the sceneactivate, equip, and arrive at the scene

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Campus Wide ResourcesCampus Wide Resources

• MSU Counseling Center and associated units MSU Counseling Center and associated units – Provide grief counseling, critical incident stress Provide grief counseling, critical incident stress

management, and associated care to our community management, and associated care to our community • Communications and Brand StrategyCommunications and Brand Strategy

– Provides timely information to media and instructions Provides timely information to media and instructions to community to community

• Crime Scene Investigation Crime Scene Investigation – Gathers evidence for case management and Gathers evidence for case management and

prosecution of offenders prosecution of offenders – Personnel cross-trained in hazardous materials Personnel cross-trained in hazardous materials

incidents incidents

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What should you do…

““Figure Out”Figure Out” BE CALM—Stress makes it harder to think!BE CALM—Stress makes it harder to think!

Be prepared to analyze what is occurring and to determine what actions you will Be prepared to analyze what is occurring and to determine what actions you will taketake

““popping” noises within earshot maybe a different response that from word of mouthpopping” noises within earshot maybe a different response that from word of mouthTrust your intuition!!Trust your intuition!!

Advanced thinking will help this be easier to accomplishAdvanced thinking will help this be easier to accomplish

““Get Out”Get Out”If you can get away from the source of the danger SAFELY, then do it!If you can get away from the source of the danger SAFELY, then do it!Leave belongings behindLeave belongings behindBe where the shooter cannot see youBe where the shooter cannot see youCALL 911 and tell them what you knowCALL 911 and tell them what you know

““Call Out”Call Out”Use your phone (“hard line” vs cellular) to contact police via 911 after you get Use your phone (“hard line” vs cellular) to contact police via 911 after you get outoutProvide information to help police locate the shooterProvide information to help police locate the shooter

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““Figure Out” and Figure Out” and “Get Out”“Get Out”•Familiarize yourself with the layout of buildings you Familiarize yourself with the layout of buildings you

work/live/frequent. Evacuation routes are posted in all work/live/frequent. Evacuation routes are posted in all buildings.buildings.•Participate in your building’s evacuation and lockdown Participate in your building’s evacuation and lockdown drills. DO YOU KNOW YOUR BUILDING EMERGENCY drills. DO YOU KNOW YOUR BUILDING EMERGENCY ACTION TEAM LEADER AND COORDINATORS?ACTION TEAM LEADER AND COORDINATORS?

•Familiarize yourself with the location of “Greenlight” Familiarize yourself with the location of “Greenlight” Emergency phones.Emergency phones.•Program the non-emergency number for the MSU Police Program the non-emergency number for the MSU Police Department into your phoneDepartment into your phone

(517) 355-2221(517) 355-2221•Report suspicious activity or persons to the MSU Police.Report suspicious activity or persons to the MSU Police.

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““Call Out”Call Out”•Dialing 911 from a cell phone or University Dialing 911 from a cell phone or University phones will connect you with 911 Center phones will connect you with 911 Center Dispatchers.Dispatchers.

•There are over 200 “Greenlight” Emergency There are over 200 “Greenlight” Emergency phones located throughout campus which phones located throughout campus which connect directly to our 911 Center.connect directly to our 911 Center.

•If you cannot get through to 911, the MSU If you cannot get through to 911, the MSU Police Non-Emergency number can be Police Non-Emergency number can be reached at 517-355-2221.reached at 517-355-2221.

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What to reportWhat to report

• Your specific locationYour specific location• Building nameBuilding name• Building addressBuilding address

• www.campusaddresses.msu.edu

• Room number/FloorRoom number/Floor

• Number of people at your specific locationNumber of people at your specific location

• InjuriesInjuries• Number of people injuredNumber of people injured• Types of injuriesTypes of injuries

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What to reportWhat to report

• Assailant(s) Assailant(s)

• Specific location- where are they nowSpecific location- where are they now

• Number of assailant(s)Number of assailant(s)

• Race, Ethnicity and GenderRace, Ethnicity and Gender

• Clothing color and styleClothing color and style

• Physical features – height, weight, facial hair, glassesPhysical features – height, weight, facial hair, glasses

• Type of weapons (rifle/shotgun, handgun, bombs)Type of weapons (rifle/shotgun, handgun, bombs)

• Do you recognize the shooter? What’s his/her name?Do you recognize the shooter? What’s his/her name?

• Have you heard explosions separate from gunshots? Have you heard explosions separate from gunshots? Do you see or smell smoke?Do you see or smell smoke?

• Backpack or other item being carried? Backpack or other item being carried?

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What should you do…

““Hide Out”Hide Out”If the shooter is between you and an exit; try to find a place that can If the shooter is between you and an exit; try to find a place that can conceal AND protect youconceal AND protect you

cover versus concealmentcover versus concealment

““Keep Out”Keep Out”Once hiding, then find a way to keep the shooter from finding you or Once hiding, then find a way to keep the shooter from finding you or entering where you areentering where you are

barricade doors, turn off lights, keep phones on silent, lock area, call 911 barricade doors, turn off lights, keep phones on silent, lock area, call 911 when safe to update the police on what is happeningwhen safe to update the police on what is happening

““Spread Out”Spread Out”Do not huddle together for mutual support if hiding in same place; Do not huddle together for mutual support if hiding in same place; spread out in the area out of viewspread out in the area out of viewWhile doing this, develop a While doing this, develop a planplan quietly about what you can do quietly about what you can do

How to “take them out” if presented an opportunityHow to “take them out” if presented an opportunityHow to distract them from what they are doingHow to distract them from what they are doingHelp those around you if you can; first aid, information, keep them calm/quietHelp those around you if you can; first aid, information, keep them calm/quiet

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““Hide Out”Hide Out”If you are in a building…

Secure the immediate area – whether conference Secure the immediate area – whether conference room or office.room or office.-Lock the door. This may require advanced planning to -Lock the door. This may require advanced planning to

ensure ability to lock the door – key and type of lock. ensure ability to lock the door – key and type of lock. Know your Emergency Action Plan (EAP) building Know your Emergency Action Plan (EAP) building

exits and which way the doors swing (offices-in)exits and which way the doors swing (offices-in)-Block the door using whatever is available - desks, file -Block the door using whatever is available - desks, file

cabinets, books, other furniture… but not yourself!cabinets, books, other furniture… but not yourself!-If the shooter enters your room and leaves, -If the shooter enters your room and leaves,

lock/barricade the door behind him/her. lock/barricade the door behind him/her.

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If you are in a building If you are in a building (continued)…(continued)…

Doors, Windows, Openings, and NoiseDoors, Windows, Openings, and Noise-Close blinds-Close blinds

-Block windows-Block windows

-Turn off radios and computer monitors if necessary-Turn off radios and computer monitors if necessary

-Silence cell phones (but don’t turn them off!)-Silence cell phones (but don’t turn them off!)

-Signs can be placed in interior doors, windows, but remember the -Signs can be placed in interior doors, windows, but remember the shooter can see these tooshooter can see these too

-Place signs in exterior windows to identify the location of injured -Place signs in exterior windows to identify the location of injured personspersons

-After securing the room. People should be positioned out of sight -After securing the room. People should be positioned out of sight and behind items that might offer additional protection - walls, and behind items that might offer additional protection - walls, desks, file cabinets, etcdesks, file cabinets, etc

-Keep occupants calm and quiet-Keep occupants calm and quiet

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““Keep Out”Keep Out” Un-securing an areaUn-securing an area

-The perpetrator will not stop until his/her objectives have been The perpetrator will not stop until his/her objectives have been met, unless interrupted or engaged by law enforcement.met, unless interrupted or engaged by law enforcement.

-Consider the risk exposure created by opening the door. -Consider the risk exposure created by opening the door.

-Attempts to rescue people should only be made if that can be -Attempts to rescue people should only be made if that can be done without further endangering the persons inside a secured done without further endangering the persons inside a secured area.area.

-The perpetrator may bang on the door and yell for help to entice -The perpetrator may bang on the door and yell for help to entice you to open the door. you to open the door.

-If there is any doubt to the safety of the individuals inside the -If there is any doubt to the safety of the individuals inside the room, the area needs to remain secured.room, the area needs to remain secured.

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What should you do…

““Take Out”Take Out”Assume he/she will kill you if you come face to face with the Assume he/she will kill you if you come face to face with the shootershooterConvince yourself that you WILL SURVIVE this encounterConvince yourself that you WILL SURVIVE this encounterPrepare your mindset right now!Prepare your mindset right now!If you decide to take him/her on, you will have to be more If you decide to take him/her on, you will have to be more aggressive than you ever thought possibleaggressive than you ever thought possibleIf there are two or more, work as a teamIf there are two or more, work as a team

distract the shooterdistract the shooterrush him/herrush him/her

focus on taking away the weapon(s) and don’t stop until you accomplish itfocus on taking away the weapon(s) and don’t stop until you accomplish itLeverage is your friendLeverage is your friend

““Duck and Weave….KEEP MOVING!” if NO Duck and Weave….KEEP MOVING!” if NO other option!other option!A moving target is harder to hit than a stationary one!A moving target is harder to hit than a stationary one!

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Police ResponsePolice Response• It is important for you to convey to others that help is It is important for you to convey to others that help is

on the way. Remain inside the secure area.on the way. Remain inside the secure area.

• The MSU Police goals are to locate, contain, and stop The MSU Police goals are to locate, contain, and stop the “threat” (shooter, bomber, etc.)the “threat” (shooter, bomber, etc.)

• The safest place for you to be is inside a secure The safest place for you to be is inside a secure room.room.

• The shooter/bomber will not flee when law The shooter/bomber will not flee when law enforcement officers enter the building, instead enforcement officers enter the building, instead he/she will have new targets to shoot.he/she will have new targets to shoot.

• Remember the perpetrator’s mindset is Remember the perpetrator’s mindset is notnot escape. escape. His/her goal is to kill and injure as many people as His/her goal is to kill and injure as many people as he/she can.he/she can.

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Police ResponsePolice Response

Injured personsInjured persons• Initially, responding officers will NOT treat the Initially, responding officers will NOT treat the

injured or begin evacuation until the threat is injured or begin evacuation until the threat is neutralized.neutralized.

• You may need to explain this to others in an You may need to explain this to others in an attempt to calm them.attempt to calm them.

• Once the threat is neutralized, officers will begin Once the threat is neutralized, officers will begin treatment and evacuation.treatment and evacuation.

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Police ResponsePolice Response

EvacuationEvacuation• Safety corridors will be established. This may be Safety corridors will be established. This may be

time consuming.time consuming.• Remain in secure areas until instructed Remain in secure areas until instructed

otherwise.otherwise.• You may be instructed to keep your hands on You may be instructed to keep your hands on

your head. your head. • You may be searched.You may be searched.• You will be escorted out of the building by law You will be escorted out of the building by law

enforcement personnel.enforcement personnel.

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• We can no longer predict the origin of the next threat.

• Assailants in some recent incidents across the country were not students or employees.

• There were no obvious specific targets and the victims were unaware they were targets, until attacked.

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Alert and Notification

ConnectED and www.alert.msu.eduCodeRED [county-wide system]MSU Alert recorded phone messageSiren systems CodeBlue Speaker Systems (Residence Halls)Portable Public Address System Speaker TowersOther:

Public or Media sourcesMSU Mass Distribution E-mailInternet: MSU Home Page

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Individual Level Preparedness

Have you prepared plans for your families or significant others of common incidents?

Do you know what your role is for safety or other hazardous situations?LeadershipCalm in the face of disruption

Do you have a plan in your mind of how you will respond?

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Contact Information

Insp. Penny Fischer

fischer@police.msu.edu

Office Number: 517-432-6366