Facility Tenant Brief 2013 Active Shooter Defense Facility Tenant Brief January 2013 1
Introduction Nidal Hasan killed 13 people and wounded 30 others on November 5, 2009, at the Soldier Readiness Processing Center at Fort Hood, Killeen, Texas. Weapons used: FN Five-Seven Semi-Automatic Pistol 2
2012 active shooter incidents 27 victims of Sandy Hook 3
September 2013 Aaron Alexis killed 12 people and wounded 8 others on September 16, 2013, at Building 197 Washington Navy Yard in Washington, DC. Weapons used: Remington 870 Shotgun, Beretta 9mm Pistol 4
Run Hide Fight Surviving an Active Shooter Event Video produced by City of Houston Mayor s Office of Public Safety and Homeland Security (DHS-funded project) (video 6 minutes) http://youtu.be/5vcsweju2d0 Alternate Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vcsweju2d0 5
Active Shooter: The Most Likely Threat Deadly Armed Attack in Progress No pattern, no set method Many seek high value, soft targets; large vulnerable populations Columbine Objective: Kill as many as possible Columbine killers goal = kill 400 Active shooter incidents typically last <15 minutes Who, where, when, and why s Unpredictable Can Happen Anywhere, Anytime 6
Active shooter incident resolution* 43% through applied force (law enforcement, contract security, public) 40% through suicide / attempted suicide Only 16% through no applied force (e.g., negotiated surrender) Violent endings are most likely Based on NYPD analysis of 324 cases 7
Tenant Personal Precautions Devise an office plan; devise a personal plan NOW Know multiple evacuation routes (where to run); know assembly areas Post evacuation routes in conspicuous locations Account for special needs, persons with disabilities Maintain accurate rosters 8
Tenant Personal Precautions Designate hiding rooms/locations; develop a barricade plan Actually exercise barricading an office Vacate cubicles and open bay office areas Exercise office actions under varying conditions Discovery Channel Headquarters held 3 exercises per year prior to 9/1/2010 hostage-taking incident Successful 20-minute evacuation of facility Planning and exercises save lives 9
Tenant Personal Precautions (continued) Consider developing alternate communication signals and codes -- Not effective versus insider threat Do not become electronically isolated i.e., IPOD headphones on, texting while you walk Report individuals who appear out of place Know and report the pre-indicators of potential violence Knowledge & Situational Awareness = Survival tools 10
Pre-indicators of potential violence Violent or aggressive behavior use of alcohol / drugs absenteeism depression / withdrawal severe mood swings violations of policy problems at home unstable / emotional responses comments about putting things in order outbursts without provocation paranoia financial problems talk of previous incidents of violence resistance / overreaction to changes in policy empathy with individuals committing violence fascination with weapons, violence, violent themes appearance / hygiene Significant Negative Changes in Personal Behavior 11
ACTIONS-Emergency Calls If possible, call 911 ASAP If you know the incident has been reported, only call if you have vital information Do not activate the fire alarm Report to police: Location of the shooter(s) Number of shooters Physical description of the shooter(s) Number / types of weapons Use or threat of explosives / IEDs? Still shooting? 12
IF AN ACTIVE SHOOTER IS IN YOUR VICINITY Remain calm; resist urge to panic; think! Avoid open areas / hallways, if possible Let the police do their jobs All active shooter defense is local If you are outside: run, seek cover, stay outside 13
IF AN ACTIVE SHOOTER IS IN YOUR VICINITY (continued) Assess the situation; act based on situation: 1) Run? 2) Hide? 3) Fight? The action you choose is contingent on the situation near you, thus: All active shooter defense is local 14
IF AN ACTIVE SHOOTER IS IN YOUR VICINITY (continued) Run if safe to do so or appropriate for your situation RUN! Leave belongings behind Visualize entire escape route before moving If possible, help others to a point Prevent others from entering the area Keep hands visible if the possibility of confronting police or contract security officers exists 15
In a secure area preferably designated shelter Lock, barricade the door Cover windows, turn off lights Silence electronic devices Remain silent IF AN ACTIVE SHOOTER IS IN YOUR VICINITY (continued) Remain in place until instructed otherwise Ignore fire alarm (unless presence of smoke or fire) Prepare to fight Look for something to use as a weapon 16
Fight! Fight! Fight! FIGHT if you are in imminent danger Negotiation not an option the active shooter wants to kill Disrupt or disable the attacker by any means possible Throw objects, improvise a weapon, rush the attacker, yell Be aggressive, incapacitate the attacker 17
Locate and neutralize the threat will seek quick engagement active shooter defense Police Actions during an Active Shooter Incident Once threat has been eliminated or incident stabilized, police will expeditiously attend to wounded and injured Lock down the facility Notify tenants and provide guidance (e.g., public address announcements, email notification) 18
When Police Arrive Follow all official instructions coming from police or over public address system Remain calm Keep hands visible, put down any items in your hands Avoid making sudden or alarming movements Do not point, yell, or scream Proceed to exits directed Provide all relevant info to police 19
CLOSING COMMENTS I didn t know what to do Columbine High School Student 20 April 1999 THE COMMON POST-INCIDENT REFRAIN 20
Take-Away Points Can happen anywhere, anytime Planning and exercises save lives Violent endings are most likely Knowledge & Situational Awareness = Survival Tools Run >Hide>Fight 21
If you SEE something SAY something TM 703-692-2729 (692-2SAY) 2SAY@pfpa.mil iwatchpfpa.org 22
Online Training Active Shooter: What You Can Do FEMA Course IS-907 http://training.fema.gov/emi Web/IS/IS907.asp www.dhs.gov/active shooterpreparedness 23
QUESTIONS? 24
Back up
Suspicious Activity Report (Immediately): (703-697-2729 or 703-697-1001) When did the suspicious activity occur? Still occurring? Where did it occur (exact location)? How many people were involved? Can you describe them? How would you characterize the suspicious activity (surveillance / breach or attempted intrusion / eliciting information / expressed or implied threat / misrepresentation / materials acquisition / sabotage or tampering / diversion / weapon display)? Describe in detail what you saw. Were you able capture images of the subject(s)? Any other details. 26