Yesterday I attended a program on Active Shooter training –not for schools, but for COMPANIES.
He talked about how training is critical to prepare people HOW to respond. Because without it, people will “FREEZE UP” and fail to act that can result in more deaths.
For example, he cited a security guard who saw a employee point a gun at his head, then go into the building after he ran away. Instead of notifying anyone, he paced back and forth for 5 minutes, doing NOTHING. He had not been trained properly. His brain “froze” and he didn’t know what to do. The shock of a gun in his face had un-nerved him.
But here is the key thing: EVERYONE needs the training, not just security or the owner. When students were startled by a surprise mock attack by a gun-man, many sat in their desks, texting mom and dad!
Holy crap Batman, MOVE! JUMP! RUSH OUT. DO something! Don’t just sit there being a target while you call home. First RUN. Then HIDE. If you are facing an attacker with no escape route FIGHT! If he stops to reload, that’s your time to either fight or flee.
Armor Glass film is being used on storefronts and on glass in schools to delay shooters from blowing out the glass and walking in one second later. Our product keeps them at the entrance longer, where police can see them and engage. But people need more than our protection for these horrible events.
They need to know WHAT TO DO when this happens – because it keeps happening. Simple “table top exercises” are meaningless because they don’t show people how to act under stress. Stress exposure training is a vital component, like the pilot who learns how to handle an airplane in a stall until the reaction is automatic.
Last comment. Don’t ever have a practice drill that no one knows about. That leads to disaster (not to mention possible heart attacks.) Professionals make sure everyone is aware of a drill LONG BEFORE it is scheduled.
Look for a consultant who knows the protocols to use.