Survival Mindset&

Courses of Action

Active Shooter Response Active Shooter Response TrainingTraining

On the School Bus On the School Bus

“Run, Hide, Fight” Video

Emergency Management

Profile of an Active Shooter

Indicators of Potential Violence

Situational Awareness

Course of Action

LEO Response

Prevention

Summary

References

http://www.lawofficer.com/video/news/run-hide-fight-active-shooter

Four Phases of Emergency (Crisis) Management:

1. Mitigation/Prevention addresses what schools and districts can do to reduce or eliminate risk to life and property.

2. Preparedness focuses on the process of planning for the worst-case scenario.

3. Response is devoted to the steps to take during a crisis.

4. Recovery deals with how to restore the learning and teaching environment after a crisis.

An individual, or group of individuals, actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area

Active shooters use firearm(s)

No pattern or method to their selection of victims

Could be anyone

Common Myths Out of the blue

Never saw it coming

He just snapped

Most situations will resolve themselves if given a cooling off period

Warning signs are always predictive of violentbehavior

Violence is random, spontaneous, and unpredictable

Realities Threats are almost always present Leakage, warnings made through comments

(intentional or unintentional) can reveal clues to feelings, thoughts, fantasies, or intentions that may result in violence

Erratic/abnormal behavior is a principle warning sign of future violence

Bullying is often a stepping stone to violence The path toward violence, is an evolutionary one

with signs posted along the way (indicators)

Offenders Increased use of alcohol and/or illegal drugs

Often exhibit angry or argumentative behavior Unexplained increases in absenteeism Depression / withdrawal Blame others for their problems Repeated violations to policy and procedures Fail to take responsibility for their own actions Increased severe mood swings Retaliate against perceived injustice

Other Concerns Increasingly talks of problems at home

Increasing belligerence

Behavior which is suspect of paranoia “everybody is against me”

Hypersensitivity to criticism

Recent acquisition/fascination with weapons

Talk of previous incidents of violence

Empathy with individuals committing violence

Other Concerns (Cont.) Preoccupation with violent themes, video games

Interest in recently publicized violent events

Outburst of anger

Extreme disorganization

Noticeable changes in behavior

Homicidal/suicidal comments or threats

Suicide “Putting things in order”

May not be perceived as a threat to others

Serious danger sign

Described as violence directed inward

Many campus shootings end in offender suicide

Motives: 61% motivated by desire for revenge 75% felt bullied/persecuted/threatened by others

Statistics: 93% of attackers engaged in some behavior prior

to the attack that caused others to be concerned 93% of attackers planned out the attack in

advance

95% of attackers were current students

Shootings can occur anytime, anywhere, to anyone Unlike any situation ever experienced

Bottom Line: You need to take direct responsibility for your personal safety and security

Survival Mindset is a protective shield Comprised of three components:

Awareness, Preparation, and Rehearsal

Survival Mindset Components

Awareness Gain a basic understanding of situation

Be aware of your environment and any possible dangers

Take note of the two nearest exits in any facility you visit

Predetermined mindset will help you take rapid, effective actions

Survival Mindset Components (Cont.)

Preparation Looking at your school environment through the

lens of survival “What if” questions are critical in developing

effective response strategies Survivors prepare themselves both mentally and

emotionally to do whatever it takes to survive Rehearsal

Mentally or physically practicing your plan Will reduce response time and build confidence A survival inoculation

Life-Threatening Risk: Any action taken, or not taken, during an active-

shooter incident may involve life-threatening risk

Survival Mindset: Will provide a strong foundation upon which to

base decisions and actions

Figure Out How are you going to survive? Will you get out (Run)? (Is there a path of

escape?)

Will you hide out?• Is there a chance to get to where the shooter

may not find you?

Is your only option to take out (fight) the shooter? Last resort!

Survival Mindset Enables you to act quickly and effectively Mindful, not fearful

Airline safety briefing Better able to make that first, critical decision

Continuous Assessment Process Allows you to take appropriate survival action Use all senses Trust your intuition—that “gut” feeling (knowing

without knowing why)

Get Out (Run) Move quickly; don’t wait for others to validate

your decision Leave belongings behind Survival chances increase if you are not where

shooter is or go where he can’t see you

Call Out Inform authorities Call 9-1-1 and tell them the name of shooter (if

known), shooter description, location, number and type of weapons

Hide Out May not be able to get out

Shooter between you and the only exit Would have to enter area where shooter is

positioned

Hiding place• Well hidden and well protected• Avoid places that might trap you or restrict

movement

Keep Out Find a room that can be locked with objects to hide

behind

Blockade door with heavy furniture

Turn out lights; become totally silent

Turn off noise-producing devices

Call 9-1-1 (If you can do so without alerting the shooter)

Spread Out If two or more of you, DO NOT huddle together;

gives you options and makes it harder for the shooter

Quietly develop a plan of action in the event the shooter enters

Remain calm Can have a contagious effect on others Keeps others focused on survival

Take Out (LAST RESORT) Assume shooter’s intentions are lethal Shooter will succeed in shooting all those with whom

he comes in contact, UNLESS you stop him Develop a survival mindset that you have “what it

takes” to survive when your life is on the line You must be prepared to do whatever it takes to

neutralize the threat Throw things, yell, use improvised weapons If two or more of you, make a plan to overcome

the shooter Do the best that you can—choose to survive

Arm Yourself with a Survival Mindset

Interacting with Law Enforcement Responders

DO NOT expect officers to assist you as you get out Primary job is to locate the shooter and

neutralize the threat Medical assistance will follow once the threat is

neutralized

Law Enforcement must assume everyone is a threat to their safety Be prepared to:

have weapons pointed in your direction be subject to search be handcuffed Be questioned

Interacting with Law Enforcement Responders

When Law Enforcement officers enter the room, do not present a threat to them

DO NOT:

Point at them or the shooter

Make quick movements

Run towards them or attempt to hug them

Scream or yell

Have anything in your hands; officers are taught that “hands kill”

Interacting with Law Enforcement Responders

DO:

Raise your arms

Spread your fingers

Show hands as you drop to the floor

Spread arms and legs

Be observant of the environment you travel by each day, fall back on your First Observer Training. ◦ Situational Awareness ◦ Safety and Security Plans◦ Fall back on your training to react (think quickly)

If you see something that is not right at the bus stop as you pull up, (guy with a gun) don’t stop, continue to drive pass the stop and call dispatch with your observations.

If you have already stopped and something happens, Remember to “KEEP CALM”

We have LIMITED options in the confined space on the bus

As the absolute LAST RESORT, Take Out the threat: If the weapon was used (Shots fired), you have to

assume the shooter’s intentions are deadly Shooter will succeed in shooting all those with whom

he comes in contact, UNLESS you stop him You must be prepared to do whatever it takes to

neutralize the threat Throw things, yell, use improvised weapons If you can, make a plan to overcome the shooter Do the best that you can—choose to survive

If possible, students should exit the bus using the emergency exits and run……to safety

When Law Enforcement Responds: DO:

Raise your arms

Spread your fingers

Show hands as you exit the bus

Spread arms and legs

If suspicious or uncomfortable, report your observations and feelings: “See Something, Say Something”

Violence and threats of violence

Often result from frustration and a communication breakdown

Individuals can make a difference

Listen to “troubled” individual

People want to be heard and understood

A safe campus is everyone’s responsibility

Warning Signs Administrators should probe to discover if the subject has

engaged in research, planning, or preparation (e.g., researched weapons or made attempts to obtain a weapon). Movement from thought to action represents a severe escalation of the risk of violence. Use the District’s Threat Response Procedure.

Approximately 80% of school shootings at least one person had information that the attacker was thinking about or planning the school attack. In nearly 66%, more than one person had information about the attack before it occurred. In nearly all of these cases, the person who knew was a peer, a friend, schoolmate, or sibling.

Despite prompt law enforcement responses, most attacks were stopped by means other than law enforcement intervention.

Be conscious of the “Werther Effect,” defined as a duplication or copycat of another suicidal act. School shootings are typically well-publicized, sensationalized events that can trigger an increase in similar acts for roughly days or weeks after the attack.

See Something, Say Something: Tell a supervisor: Use the “District Threat Response Procedure” for all threats

Recognizing the sound of gunshots Reacting quickly when gunshots are heard or when a

shooting is witnessed: Run Hide Fight (Take Action) Call 911 Reacting when Law Enforcement arrives Adopting the survival mindset during times of crisis

Safety Guidelines for Armed Subjects, Active Shooters Situations, Indiana University Police Department, April 2007

Safety tips and guidelines regarding potential “Active Shooter” incidents occurring on campus, University of California Police

Workplace Violence Desk reference, Security Management Group International

How to Plan for Workplace Emergencies and Evacuations, US Department of labor, OSHA 3088, 2001

Active Shooter, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Oct 2008

DHS Course, Active Shooter, What You Can Do, Response to an Active Shooter Training (Online)

http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/IS907.asp

Questions?http://www.youtube.com/user/ushomelandsecurity