Workplace preparedness for fires and earthquakes are commonplace, but with the growing occurrences of workplace violence, employers can potentially save lives with a simple 10 minute training video.
According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, since 2006, the U.S. averages an active shooter event with four or more deaths every 2.9 months. Understanding that these incidents are on the rise; the sheriff’s department launched a training video Jan. 29, to help prepare you and your staff.
“Ever since the school shooting at Columbine, law enforcement nationwide has been training pretty steadily and strongly on active shooter response; how law enforcement responds to these things. Another sad fact of reality on these is that they are generally over more often than not before police get a chance to get there,” said Sergeant Harry Drucker, Video Production Unit Supervisor for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Training Bureau.
Knowing that active shooter scenarios are typically over before the police arrive, emphasizes the importance of having a plan in place for your business. For employees, staying aware of surroundings and watching the behavior of people is a great place to start.
According to Sgt. Drucker, if an individual is genuinely behaving suspiciously, people should never hesitate to dial 911. While the situation may be harmless, it is better to be safe and have the police handle the matter.
While conducting routine business operations, property managers and fellow employees may encounter irate applicants turned down for housing or disgruntled past employees with unknown violent tendencies. Facing this reality, the time to prepare for an active shooter situation is now, not when the incident is unfolding. As with a fire drill, having a plan in place and rehearsing what to do in the event of an active shooter, can save lives.
“On the website, activeshooter.lasd.org, on the bottom, under the video window are links to preparedness programs that the FBI has put out there. The Department of Homeland Security, even the Red Cross and [Occupational Safety and Health Administration] gives workplace plans and programs,” said Sgt. Drucker.
“We put those there for a purpose, also to acknowledge that there are multiple experts in different places; the sheriff’s department isn’t the only source of good information out there. We wanted to share what other people have done and have been successful with. That’s all on the site along with the video,” he continued.
Please visit activeshooter.lasd.org to learn more about how to protect yourself and your company in the event of an active shooter.
by: Laura Mowry
2 Replies to “What Would You Do If There Was an Active Shooter at Your Workplace?”
Every non radical should do some home schooling on this nightmare ! You have to survive if you want to help your family as well. It used to be parents were told to teach their children about stanger danger !! But this is much bigger , its brain washed animals everywhere.
Kathy,
It’s a shame that this is the current world we live in, but the best thing to do is be proactive and educate those you care about so they have a chance at being prepared if ever forced to face this terrible scenario.