PRESENTED BY: Erik Termeulen 5826 Belrose Drive Houston, Texas, 77035 281-541-7374 etermeulen@gmail.com
EMERGENCY RESPONSE TO AN ARMED INTRUDER 1999 1991 1966 1984 2007
and Others 2007 2007 2008 2008 2009
Paris, France 2015 130 killed 350+ injured 9 suspects (3 teams) Mumbai 2008 164 killed/10 attackers Multiple locations
More Recently. San Bernardino 2015 14 killed 22 seriously injured 300+ officers responded
Orlando, Florida 49 killed 53 injured
Columbine Video
Opening Statement Violence in the work place, schools, malls and other venues is escalating at an alarming rate. Innocent victims are falling prey to armed suspects with one mission in mind - committing mass murder. Our objective is to share information with the general public and offer recommendations on preparing themselves for an armed intruder incident.
Topics For Discussion Active Shooter profile Police response Security measures Security personnel Lock down procedures Sheltering in place vs. Evacuation A.D.D. (avoid, deny, defend)/run, Hide, Fight Police response Training for employees and security staff.
Active Shooter Defined The agreed-upon definition of an active shooter by US government agencies (including the White House, US Department of Justice, FBI, US Department of Education, US Department of Homeland Security, and Federal Emergency Management Agency) is an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area. In most cases, active shooters use firearms and there is no pattern or method to their selection of victims.
In most cases the armed intruders use a firearm(s) and there may be no pattern or method in the selection of victims. Even with law enforcement responding, people often have to make life and death decisions. The presentation will assist in the decisions since 2/3 ended before police arrive. Study of active shooter incidents in the US from 2000-2013
Profile Desire to kill without concern for their safety or threat of capture Normally has intended targets and will search them out and accepts targets of opportunity while searching Will continue to move through building until stopped by law enforcement, suicide, or barricades (with or without hostages ) Most Active Shooter incidents are over in 30 minutes or less
Active Shooter Profile Someone with an axe to grind or an in-justice collector. Non Gender Specific though usually white male. Has gone to great lengths to plan their attack. Usually targets victims in their own age group work, school, home, church, etc. Does not plan an exit strategy. No geographic region is excluded
Terrorist Incidents Ideological Preplanned Rehearsals Careful planning Mass casualty Multiple venues (Paris) Extreme Violence (9/11, Paris, san Bernadino, Dallas) Does not plan an exit strategy.
Delaware July 26,1764 Earliest recorded school shooting 4 American Indians stormed schoolhouse of white settlers Scalped children killing 9
Texas Tower August 1, 1966 Charles Whitman - Former Marine First killed mother and wife Killed 14 Wounded 30 Two patrol officers ended attack - McCoy and Martinez Era of specialization (SWAT)
Columbine April 20,1999 13 killed 21 wounded Reverted to training 45 minutes for to SWAT teams to enter Catalyst for Active Shooter training
Police Response Post Columbine Stop the Killing and Save Lives Exposure to Active Shooter Training. Take the fight to the bad guy. Re-evaluated firearms and tactical training. Adopted long gun programs. Better equipment for first responders. Better awareness programs for schools and businesses.
Virginia Tech 2007 Suspect Cho Sueng Hui Killed 32 wounded 17 Barricaded doors Rescue aspect Citizen training
Security Measures things to think about Have an Emergency Response Plan. Alarms that can sound off when an armed intruder is the building (an alarm, or public address that can be heard throughout the entire building). Hire off duty police officers or security personnel. (Require that they ve taken Rapid Response To Active Shooter Training as a condition for employment or exposure to similar stress inoculation training).
Security Measures (continued) Mandate that all security staff have radio communications with the security control room and other security personnel on site. Have security cameras in main hallways, elevators, stairwells, and parking garages (monitoring capabilities from the security control room). Controlled access points.
If an Incident Occurs Security Personnel Should Initiate emergency response plan. Safely maintain a visual on suspect (armed vs. unarmed). Continue to communicate all pertinent information. Control elevators (lobby). Designate personnel to link up with first responders (keys, pass cards, diagrams and breaching equipment). Designate a safe zone / staging area for emergency responders, their vehicles and medivac.
Security Personnel (continued) Maintain control of access ways. Have building engineers / maintenance personnel available for logistical need. Coordinate a safe rally point for evacuees. Control parking areas, eliminate congestion. Have a public relations representative available.
Schools immediately lockdown when an intruder is on campus, should you?
Lock Down vs. Evacuation What type of threat is present. Is the threat nearby or in another location. Emergency response procedures should be initiated immediately and reflect this. Denying access to an armed intruder buys precious time for others and provides an opportunity for emergency responders to locate the threat and close distance.
Lock Down Considerations Employees can fortify doors using eye bolts, rope or furniture. Employees should turn lights off, and move away from doors and windows. When possible look for escape routes. Have a signal for all clear.
Building Considerations Intercom systems (building, floor, individual offices) Notification system (E-Mail) Cameras/monitor Have a plan Escape routes Plan with local law enforcement and building security Training
Training Training for these incidents is necessary to minimize confusion and casualties. Awareness Training vs. Hands On (be proactive). Employers should routinely conduct drills so that problems can be identified and corrected. After action critiques are necessary. Criticism should remain constructive while recommendations for corrective measures made. Observe employees acting differently or going through life altering events
Remember A.D.D. AVOID Use any means to avoid the intruder. Look for escape routes or places to hide. DENY Deny intruder access. Shelter in place by locking and barricading doors and windows. DEFEND self-defense may be your only option. Use any means to do so.
Run, Hide, Fight..
Defense (fight or flight) Escaping is always the first option. At times, victims may find themselves trapped and selfdefense is required to prevent an attack. We must always be mentally prepared to defend ourselves. Employees and victims should arm themselves with any means available (pocket pens, furniture, golf clubs, fire extinguisher, umbrellas, letter openers )
Defense (continued) People vs. Sheeple. The best time to act is now, time is not on your side. Engage your attacker at the first opportunity. This may be your only chance (Doing nothing will likely result in serious injury or death). Cell phones (open line) Licensed gun carriers.
Ft. Hood Nov. 5, 2009 Military base Major Hasan 13 killed Sgt. Kimberly Munley Active Shooter trained
Individual Considerations Evacuate v. Lock down 911 or security Relay calmly: Your location (building, floor, office) number of people (injured) suspect info. (description, weapon, race/gender, clothing, type of weapon, backpack, known shooter)
Individual Concerns First priority is yourself Help others evacuate Help others first aid
D.I.Y. preparations
Patrol Response Priority is to locate, isolate, contain, and stop the killing May bypass you to get to shooter Nothing in your hands Hands up, fingers spread, try to remain calm Try not to jump out or surprise officers Weapons may be pointed at you May be searched and handcuffed Remember, officers do not know who you are Medical is conducted by secondary responders Time and manpower intensive
Patrol Response Crime scene Garage may be locked down Not allowed back in building After evacuation brought to holding area for medical, interviews, accountability, and counseling
Police Mental Preparation Never say never Mentally brief and prepare for deadly encounter Bypass wounded Multiple victims Totality of circumstances Accept more risk then normal Priority of life scale Young and committed suspects One plus rule I.E.D. s Isolate, distract, and neutralize
Survival Stress Reaction (SSR) SSR - Under stress officers will experience physiological and psychological effects Tunnel vision Auditory exclusion Critical stress amnesia Increased heart rate (fine v gross motor skills Combat effective range (115-145 BPM)
Managing SSR Mental visualization and physical training Stress inoculation Autogenic or combat breathing (studies show that it reduce heart rate up to 30%) Belief in mission
Future Are we prepared? Beslan Sept. 2004 (3 day 1,100 hostages) American Beslan (Osama Bin Laden promised) Mumbai style Free society + committed terrorist = Another 9/11 Training + preparation + Intelligence gathering= mitigate incident
Conclusion We have addressed several issues when dealing with an armed intruder. There are never guarantees and innocent lives will likely be lost. The goal is to have an effective plan in place. A plan that maximizes the efforts between the general public and law enforcement and affords the best chance for survival and minimizing casualties. Hard to predict when and where an Active Shooter incident will take place (still look for signs) Each response is different and may require a different response Never say Never
Questions?