A Facilities Manager Introduction to Active Shooter Threats
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A Facilities Manager Introduction to Active Shooter Threats
By A. Peakman
As a facility manager, you are re responsible for the safety and security of the people in your building. This includes preparing for and responding to active shooter situations.
1. What are some steps facilities managers can take to protect their buildings against mass shootings?
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Access control systems: Implementing access control systems that
require a keycard or biometric authentication can prevent unauthorized access
to sensitive areas of your facility.
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Surveillance cameras: Install surveillance cameras and access
control systems: Surveillance cameras can help deter potential shooters and
provide law enforcement with valuable footage if an incident does occur.
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Alarm systems: Installing alarm systems that are triggered by
unauthorized access or unusual activity can alert security personnel to
potential security threats.
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Secure networks: Ensuring that your facility has a secure network
with strong firewalls, secure passwords, and regular software updates can
prevent cyber attacks and protect sensitive data.
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Physical barriers: Installing physical barriers can prevent
intruders from accessing your facility, such as security gates, fences, or
reinforced doors and windows.
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Implement active shooter training: Active shooter training can
help employees know what to do in the event of an incident. This can
potentially save lives and reduce the amount of damage caused by a mass
shooting.
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Increase security personnel: Adding more security personnel can
help to deter potential shooters
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Conduct a Risk Assessment: Start by performing a risk assessment
of your facility. Analyze the layout of the building to identify potential
hiding spots, entry and exit points, and potential targets.
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Develop an Emergency Response Plan: Develop an emergency response
plan that includes procedures for lockdown, evacuation, and communication. Make
sure that all employees are trained on the plan and conduct regular drills to
ensure that everyone understands what they are supposed to do in an actual
emergency.
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Work with Local Law Enforcement: Establish a relationship with
local law enforcement agencies to ensure that they are familiar with your
facility and can respond quickly in the event of an emergency.
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Install Perimeter Security Measures: Install physical barriers
such as barriers, bollards or planters that discourage vehicular ramming
attacks; and consider electronic measures such as access control systems or
video surveillance cameras.
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Provide Employee Training: Provide regular training to employees
on what to do in the event of an active shooter situation. Educate them on the
warning signs of potential threats and how to respond if there is an emergency.
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Secure all Entrances and Exits: Ensure that all entrances and
exits to the facility are secure and that employees are required to use
identification badges or other security measures when entering or leaving the
building.
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Conduct Regular Threat Assessments: Periodically reassess the
facility to determine if any changes need to be made to the emergency response
plan or other security measures. This step is crucial to prevent and mitigate
the risk of a potential attack.
2. How can facilities managers prepare and or support their staff?
Although active shooter incidences are thankfully rare, they can and do happen. And when they do, facility managers and their staff must be prepared to respond. But how can you train your staff to respond to such a traumatic event?
There are a few things you can do to help your staff be prepared for an active shooter.
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First, you should create a clear and concise mass shooting
response plan. This plan should detail what staff should do in the event of a
shooting, from evacuating the building to hiding and barricading themselves in
a safe location. You should also hold regular training drills to help your
staff be familiar with the response plan and know what to do in an emergency.
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Second, It's important to educate your staff on the warning signs
of potential violence and how to report any concerning behavior. This can
include changes in behavior or mood, verbal threats, or unusual interest in
weapons. Encourage your staff to trust their gut instincts and report any
concerns to management or security personnel immediately.
Overall, being prepared for a mass shooting requires a combination of planning, training, and education. By taking proactive steps to prepare your staff, you can help ensure their safety and well-being in the event of a crisis.
3. What should facilities managers do after an active shooter incident?
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First, it’s important to have a debriefing with all employees.
This should be done as soon as possible after the incident. During the
debriefing, employees should be encouraged to share their experiences and
feelings. This will help everyone to process what happened and start the
healing process.
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Second, it’s important to offer counseling services to all
employees. Many people will need help dealing with the trauma of an active
shooter incident. Counselors can help employees to deal with their feelings and
to start the healing process.
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Third, it’s important to review your security procedures. This is
to ensure that something like this doesn’t happen again.
4.
Conclusion
In
summary, facilities managers need to take active steps to prevent and prepare
for an active shooter situation. By creating an emergency response plan,
working with law enforcement, installing security measures, providing regular
training and conducting periodic threat assessments, facilities managers can
help minimize the risk of an active shooter threat and ensure the safety of
their employees and visitors. As a facilities manager, it is important to be
aware of the potential for an active shooter threat at your facility. While the
chances of this happening are relatively low, it is still important to be
prepared if it does occur.
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