Staff Response to an Active Shooter event at PNNL EFCOG Meeting March 12, 2014 1
Developing a Procedure Decision to have a response process for staff in an active shooter event. Exploration of other methods out there DHS Figure it out method Lockdown-School/Colleges 2
Defining an Active Shooter Incident What should constitute an Active Shooter Response? PNNL Definitions Confirmed Sighting of a firearm: A witness has seen an individual with a firearm in a threatening manner on the campus/in a facility, and there are no reports of any reason why the firearm should be on campus/in a facility (e.g. training, police department. meeting, etc.). This can be threatening others or themselves Confirmed hostile discharge of a firearm: A confirmed report of an individual shooting a firearm while on the PNNL campus or the Sequim campus. Confirmed shooting/gunshot injuries: A witness confirms shooting by visually seeing individuals with gunshot injuries or damage inflicted by gunshots. Not hearing gunshots. 3
Police Department Interaction Coordination with the Local Police Department, SWAT team, Hostage Negotiation Team, and ICs. What do they need from us when they respond? Information Descriptions, locations, etc. As few people as possible in the affected area One person to coordinate with Maps of the area Information on the perpetrator/victims Any dangers in the vicinity
Lockdown Tailoring the Lockdown Process Single Point of Contact/Security Authority to issue automatic campus lockdown Safest actions for staff Stay In, close office doors, avoid exterior doors and windows Use common sense Notifications for staff CNS notification-text, Voice Call, Email, Computer Pop Up Calls are alphabetical Currently in Re-Bid Using security capabilities Door and Camera System 5
The Lockdown Procedure FY 10 Procedure Developed using the following Criteria Single Point of Contact can automatically issue a Lockdown Call 9-1-1 for Police Dept. assistance Disengage all prox card access Issue Staff Notification Contact the PNNL Incident Manager (IM) Designated contact for the Police Dept. In charge of all movement from PNNL staff Active Shooter Incident Occurs PNNL Staff Member Calls SPC SPC Calls 9-1-1 SPC Disengages Prox Card Access at all PNNL Managed facilities SPC initiates CNS SPC notifies IM IM makes contact with the Police 6
Staff Training on Lockdown New Process for many staff-take a full year to train Explain why we DO an action and why we DON T Don t leave the facility Developed a video to train staff on expected actions: What to do when you see the bad guy What to do when in an office What to do when outside What happens when you leave The Difference between Take Cover and Lockdown Take Cover When you are out you need to get in Lockdown When you are out you re out and in you re in 7
Tabletop Drill #1 Disgruntled Employee FY 11, after procedure initiation Staff member is angry that benefits denied a procedure for his spouse. Tabletop with Security, IM, Local Police Department and PNNL Support organizations. Lessons Learned: Revise the Single Point of Contact Procedure to get appearance, clothing and behavior of suspect Change the CNS message to staff off facility phones Obtain IM vest and go bag Contact Kindercare Train security staff to immediately report to the ICP 8
Awareness Drill #1 Shots being fired After all staff training had been completed for the year, FY11. Drill Objectives: Test Equipment-Prox Card Access and CNS Test Single Point of Contact ability to initiate all actions Convey to staff the process and expected actions All staff were to participate Communication Campaign was executed Drill Execution: All systems worked Staff understood the actions to take 9
Awareness Drill #1-Lessons Learned 13 Corrective Actions: Single Point of Contact Displayed excellent capability in initiating systems Prox Card Public Access Areas-What to do with them CNS Time to notify on voice calls was too long Remove non Richland/Hanford/Sequim staff from the list Include Occupational Health Clinic and PNSO Staff Awareness was good We had excellent participation Over 200 comments 10
Procedure Adjustments FY12 Procedure Adjustment Who can release staff from a lockdown? Incorporating Threat Assessment Group (TAG) Focused on handling workplace violence issues Can obtain information on employees quickly Initiated Active Shooter Tabletop Drill Scenario with Building Emergency Response Organizations (BERO) 11
Tabletop Drill #2--Disgruntled Employee FY12 at our Nuclear Facility Perpetrator blamed radiation on his wife s cancer Incorporated our BERO command staff, IM, Sheriff s Dept., Patrol Force, Security group TAG, and Support Organizations Focused on command, control and IC objectives Providing information Facility Hazard information Whom to coordinate with Lessons Learned: Review Classification Criteria with the IM Revise BERO checklists to account for Lockdown process 12
Procedure Adjustments FY13 Procedure Adjustment Incorporating Run Hide Fight Houston Video circulation Changed PNNL process from solid Lockdown Run Hide Fight if faced with the bad guy Lockdown if notified of an active shooter event Adjusted Training 13
All Staff Refresher Training 14 During a lockdown: Do not pull the fire alarm Your prox access will be denied. When your Prox access is denied: Call 375-2400 to learn about a possible event or Prox system malfunction. Do not leave the facility on your own Always follow instructions given by the Communicator Notification System. Law enforcement will view you as a suspect Your actions may place you in unnecessary danger Resources are taken away from the area of concern. Face to Face with the shooter: If the active shooter enters your office or lab, there are no set procedures. The decision to flee or seek shelter inside the room can only be made by you and is dependent upon the circumstances. If you come into direct contact with the shooter: RUN-Try to get away and evacuate to a safe location if possible. Get out of the building or at least out of the way of the shooter. HIDE-If you can t get away then find a place to hide. Get behind a closed door and lock it if possible or use a binder to wedge under the door. If you can t get behind a door then get under a desk and try to hide. FIGHT- After all other options have been exhausted, you may be faced with the decision to overpower the shooter with force by whatever means necessary. End of Lockdown Facility management will determine when to release your facility from a lockdown You may be questioned about events You may be isolated until a debriefing with the police
Tabletop Drill #3 Possible Suicide FY13 TAG Drill Disgruntled employee, Threat to Self Focused on how to obtain information and relay it to the IC Worked with Security, the IM and MSG Lessons Learned: EAP counseling release form Can they come back to work Notify the Building Emergency Director and IM of potential threats 1 EAP provider, A perpetrator and Complaintant need to go Increase awareness of workplace violence policy 15
Functional Drill #1 Hostage Scenario FY14 Involving a disgruntled staff member at reduction of force, takes his manager hostage, shots are fired at the wall. Involved Local Police, TAG, PNSO, MSG, IM, Security, and PNNL Communications. Must coordinate over the phone from various locations Information had to be earned Single Point of contact was flooded with additional calls Lessons Learned: Automatic Classification should be added to procedure Notification and engagement of TAG and EMT Terminology issue with the Police Dept. Automatic Deployment of the IM Mass notification method for the SPC 16
The Future! Staff Awareness Drill #2 in September 2014 Using new equipment Nuclear Facility Operational Drill in Winter 2015 Using new equipment Functional Drill summer 2015-Suicide Scenario Campus Operational Drill Adjustments to procedures, trainings, etc. 17
Questions? Alisa Haller, MS EM Senior Emergency Preparedness Specialist Environmental Protection and Regulatory Programs Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Richland, WA 99352 USA Tel: 509-372-6813 alisa.haller@pnl.gov 18