Assessing & Planning for Active Assaults

Recent Active Assaults Trends 2000-2006- average of 6.4 incidents annually. 2007-2013- average of 16.4 incidents annually. 2014-20 incidents. 2015-20 incidents. Education and Training Commission. All Rights Reserved. 4 Blair, Schweit

Incidents Were Resolved By 160 INCIDENTS BETWEEN 2000-2013 Shooter's Inititive 90 Unarmed Citizen 37 Armed Citizen 5 Shooter Initiative-56% Police- 28% Citizens- 26% Police 45 Education and Training Commission. All Rights Reserved. 5 Blair, Schweit

Police 14 killed by police 12 apprehended MPOETC 2018 Assessing & Planning for Active Assaults Incidents Were Resolved By 40 INCIDENTS BETWEEN 2014-2015 Shooter's Inititive 16 suicide Armed Citizen engaged in gunfire with assailants 2 1 armed citizen killed in unsuccessful attempt to stop the attack. Shooter Initiative-40% Police- 65% Citizens- 20% Unarmed Citizens restrained attacker 1 unarmed citizen killed in unsuccessful attempt to stop attack. Education and Training Commission. All Rights Reserved. 6 6 Schweit

Three Imperatives Since it is not possible to prevent all active assaults, civilians need to be trained to respond. Community entities must prepare for such challenges. Law enforcement officers must be equipped to assist community entities to respond to these challenges. IMPACT Education and Training Commission. All Rights Reserved. 7

The Bottom Line Even when law enforcement was present or able to respond within minutes, civilians often had to make life and death decisions, and therefore, should be engaged in training and discussions on decisions they may need to make and actions they may need to take. Blair, J. Pete, and Schweit, Katherine W. (2014) Education and Training Commission. All Rights Reserved. 9

Warning Behaviors Pathway Warning Behavior Fixation Warning Behavior Identification Warning Behavior Leakage Warning Behavior Energy Burst Warning Behavior Novel Aggression Warning Behavior Last Resort Warning Behavior Directly Communicated Threat Warning Behavior ASSESSMENTS B Education and Training Commission. All Rights Reserved. Meloy, Hoffman, Guldimann, James 13

Risk Factors Violence preoccupation Intent & threats Others are concerned Losses, recent, impending or significant stress Entitlement & negative attitudes Noncompliant or menacing behaviors Capacity & actions preparatory for violence Extreme moods ASSESSMENTS C Real provocations or destabilizers Irrational thinking Substance abuse Known history of violence, criminality, conflict Education and Training Commission. All Rights Reserved. 14 White, Meloy

Bottom Line Threat assessments provide a way to recognize and possibly interdict emerging threats. Assessments provide a structured process designed to identify and articulate threat indicators and warning signs. Assessments are most effective when conducted by an informed and experienced multidisciplinary team. ASSESSMENTS A Education and Training Commission. All Rights Reserved. 15

Exterior Environment What is the exterior environmental design? In what type of setting is the entity located? What external environmental features would allow an unmonitored approach? What features facilitate unimpeded access into the structure? ASSESSMENTS D Education and Training Commission. All Rights Reserved. 17

Access Control Security locks, doors, rat traps - (two lockable security doors separated by a vestibule requiring independent operation of the interior door.) Remotely operated, card-accessed, keyed, or code accessed doors. Education and Training Commission. All Rights Reserved. 18

Facility Monitoring How is alarm monitored and reported, and to whom? Are exterior and interior CCTV cameras, recording and monitoring devices present? Are passive and active detectors used? Is an intrusion / emergency alarm system used? Education and Training Commission. All Rights Reserved. 19

Response Force Assumptions Civilian security authority Authority to take law enforcement action Number of personnel available to respond during peak times Number of personnel available to respond during non-peak times Amount of time required to respond to scene of disturbance Weapons possessed Education and Training Commission. All Rights Reserved. 21

Levels of Physical Protection High Level of Security Moderate Level of Security Average Level of Security Minimal Level of Security Minimal or No Security Education and Training Commission. All Rights Reserved. 22

Operational Security Identify operational vulnerabilities Develop Emergency Action Plan Train staff on EAP and procedures Involve all stakeholders in planning / training Education and Training Commission. All Rights Reserved. 23

Emergency Action Plan Written agreement with entities other than emergency responders? Emergency needs coordinated with local (police, fire, EMS)? Threat / security-related information from an external source? Does the entity share threat / and security related information? Are personnel trained on the plan? Is the plan practiced? If so, how often? In what ways? Education and Training Commission. All Rights Reserved. 24

Staff Training Ensure facility has at least two evacuation routes Display evacuation routes with current location indicators Include local police EMS/Fire in training exercises Encourage emergency responders to train for an active shooter scenario at your location RESOURCES C RESOURCES D Education and Training Commission. All Rights Reserved. 25

Initial & periodic background checks on all employees Establish Termination Procedures (Human Resources responsibility) Human resources support to stressed employees Employee Screening Stress management services available to employees Education and Training Commission. All Rights Reserved. 26

Referral Sources Pennsylvania Office of Homeland Security 717-346-4460. Pennsylvania State Police, Risk and Vulnerability Assessment Team (RVAT) 717-346-2695. U.S. Department of Homeland Security National Protection & Programs Directorate, Infrastructure Protection: Western PA- Bob Winters 415-477-2976 bob.winters@dhs.gov Central PA- Jim Cratty 717-514-4625 james.cratty@dhs.gov Eastern PA- Rich Turzanski Richard.turzanski@hq.dhs.gov Education and Training Commission. All Rights Reserved. 27

Low Hanging Fruit Identify countermeasures and improvements that can easily be accomplished immediately. Identify countermeasures and improvements that can be accomplished in the near future. Identify countermeasures and improvements that can be accomplished in the long term. Education and Training Commission. All Rights Reserved. 29

Culture of Security Be aware of your environment, its sights, smells, sounds, activities, and conditions. Be aware of the people in your environment. Take note of the nearest exits in any facility. Be aware of potential warning signs and behaviors of those in your environment. Education and Training Commission. All Rights Reserved. 30

Components of an Emergency Action Plan A preferred method for reporting emergencies An evacuation policy and procedure Emergency escape procedures and route assignments Contact information for individuals responsibilities under the EAP and their Information concerning local medical centers An emergency notification system. PREPAREDNESS B Education and Training Commission. All Rights Reserved. 31

Components of Training Programs Develop a sense of situational awareness Recognize the sound of gunshots React quickly when gunshots occur 911 notification procedures React when law enforcement arrives Adopt the survival mindset PREPAREDNESS C Education and Training Commission. All Rights Reserved. 32

Human Resources Responsibilities Conduct employee screening & background checks. Create system to address potential violence. Provide counseling services to employees. Develop EAP addressing active assaults. Develop procedure for discharging employees. Develop provisions to assist people with disabilities. PREPAREDNESS E Education and Training Commission. All Rights Reserved. 35

Facility Manager Responsibilities Institute access controls Distribute critical items to appropriate personnel Coordinate with security Assemble crisis kits Education and Training Commission. All Rights Reserved. 36

Floor Plans / Response Information Floor plans & response information placed near entrances for emergency responders. Emergency access device distributed to local emergency services. DVD containing a video tour of the facility provided to local emergency services. Designate individuals who can activate the emergency notification system. Education and Training Commission. All Rights Reserved. 37

Location Aids Laminated card identifying one s current location with building number / name, floor, and room provided. You are in the Mellon Building First Floor, Suite C Education and Training Commission. All Rights Reserved. 38

Manager / Supervisor Responsibilities Take immediate action Remain calm Lock and barricade doors Evacuate staff and customers via a preplanned evacuation route to a safe area PREPAREDNESS A Education and Training Commission. All Rights Reserved. 40

Why civilians need to be prepared Threat Assessment Civilian Response to Active Assaults Physical / Operational Security Assessments Countermeasures & Preparation Education and Training Commission. All Rights Reserved. 42

Only Seconds to Act Average police response time about 3-6 minutes. This does not include the time required to locate and neutralize the threat after arrival (about 4 minutes possible). Civilians caught in an active assault will need to take appropriate actions. Education and Training Commission. All Rights Reserved. 43

ALICE Element Description Commonality Alert Initial alert may be the sound of gunshots, PA announcement, etc. Lockdown Indoor environments-close, lock and barricade doors when possible. Locate items in the environment that can be used as weapons to defend yourself. Identify possible escape routes. CRASE-Deny; DHS-Hide Inform Communicate real-time information on shooter location with clear direct language. Inform employees, students, etc. of assault. Call 911. Counter If actor is penetrating your defenses, or posing an imminent threat to your safety, exercise your right to defend yourself. Commit to aggressively defending yourself. CRASE-Defend; Fight DHS- Escape Know your environment s ingress and egress routes. Evacuate the area, building or place as quickly as possible. Use items and zones of cover. Encourage others to evacuate, but do not impede your escape when others hesitate. Leave personal belongings. CRASE-Avoid; DHS-Run Special Notes: ALICE elements are not intended to be chronologically sequential. Any of the elements can be implemented at any time, as needed. Education and Training Commission. All Rights Reserved. 44

Importance of Escape Escape enables individuals to survive an incident. Escape reduces the potential victim pool. Escape removes individuals from the scene who could potentially be misidentified by police as aggressors. Education and Training Commission. All Rights Reserved. 45

ALERRT Civilian Response to an Active Shooter Event Element Description Commonality Avoid Know your environment s ingress and egress routes. Evacuate the area, building or place as quickly as possible. Use items and zones of cover. Encourage others to evacuate, but do not impede your escape when others hesitate. Leave personal belongings. ALICE-Escape; Run DHS- Deny Indoor environments-close, lock and barricade doors when possible. Locate items in the environment that can be used as weapons to defend yourself. Identify possible escape routes. ALICE-Lockdown; DHS-Hide Defend If actor is penetrating your defenses, or posing an imminent threat to your safety, exercise your right to defend yourself. Commit to aggressively defending yourself. ALICE-Counter; Fight DHS- RESPONSE B Education and Training Commission. All Rights Reserved. 46

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Element Description Commonality Run Know your environment s ingress and egress routes. Evacuate the area, building or place as quickly as possible. Use items and zones of cover. Encourage others to evacuate, but do not impede your escape when others hesitate. Leave personal belongings. ALICE-Escape; CRASE-Defend Hide Fight Indoor environment-close, lock and barricade doors when possible. Locate items in the environment that can be used as weapons to defend yourself. Identify possible escape routes. If actor is penetrating your defenses, or posing an imminent threat to your safety, exercise your right to defend yourself. Commit to aggressively defending yourself. ALICE-Lockdown; CRASE-Deny ALICE-Counter; CRASE-Defend Education and Training Commission. All Rights Reserved. 47

Why civilians need to be prepared Police Response to Active Assaults Threat Assessment Civilian Response to Active Assaults Physical / Operational Security Assessments Countermeasures & Preparation Education and Training Commission. All Rights Reserved. 50

Police Responsibilities Stop the Killing Locate and stop the threat. Officers will not stop to assist injured until the threat is stopped. Stop the Dying Facilitate Rescue Team entry to treat and evacuate injured. Secure the scene for processing Education and Training Commission. All Rights Reserved. 51

How to React When Police Arrive 1 Be where you will be easily visible. Raise your hands, spread your fingers. Keep hands empty, visible at all times. Avoid making any quick movements toward officers. If armed, keep hands visible and advise officers that they have a concealed weapon. RESPONSE D Education and Training Commission. All Rights Reserved. 52

How to React When Police Arrive 2 Remain calm, follow officers instructions. Avoid pointing, or screaming. Do not ask officers for help or direction when evacuating. Do not get upset or argue with an officer. Do not resist, if handcuffed, searched. Education and Training Commission. All Rights Reserved. 53