Active Shooter: Prepare to Respond

Danny Coulson is President of Coulson Jackson and Associates, and is a guest blog author for Allied Universal.

Recent events have made terrorism a critical issue. As the world changes, so must our planning and preparedness efforts. Active shooter events have received much media attention and are an overwhelming cause for concern in terms of workplace safety. While it can be difficult to predict an active shooter event, that does not negate the need for preparedness. When workplaces are prepared to respond, through planning, practice and drills, the potential for consequences of violence and disruption in the workplace can be lessened. 

Active shooters can put schools, healthcare facilities, shopping malls, businesses and entire organizations in critical danger. Catastrophic events stemming from domestic terrorism often wreak havoc on an operation. It is important to plan and train for response. When the worst occurs, will everyone in your workplace immediately identify the following critical actions?

• Contact authorities

• Notify employees and guests

• Evacuate

• Shelter in place in a secure location

• Lock down to divert foot traffic into the area

These steps can save lives but in a high stress situation, panic and chaos can quickly disrupt an efficient and effective response. Scenario planning should include location-specific practice, open discussion and a forum for employees to ask questions and express concerns. When we plan for and rehearse our response, we are more likely to take appropriate action.

Active shooter or armed intruder response is an essential part of an overall emergency response plan. An ongoing state of awareness is critical and preparedness will positively influence your ability to not just respond, but to survive and recover.

You can access information in the Resource Center that you can share in your workplace, such as Workplace Violence: How to Respond.

  About the Author
  Danny Coulson is President of Coulson Jackson and Associates, and previously served with the FBI.