SCHOOL ACTIVE SHOOTER Intervention-Prevention-Response PART I This TCLEOSE approved Crime Prevention Curriculum is the property of CSCS-ICJS SBLE (2009)

LEARNING OBJECTIVES Learning objective: Officer will learn first responder actions for Active Shooter. Learning objective: Officer will learn his/her responsibilities during active shooter event – incident. Learning objective: Officer will learn time sensitivity involving active shooter. Learning objective: Officer will learn what active shooter warning signs to look for. Learning objective: Officer will learn Active Shooter profiles. Learning objective: Officer will learn how to cope with active shooter event. Learning objective: Officer will learn how to respond to active shooter event. Learning objective: Officer will know and be capable of teaching school staff what actions they need to take during active shooter event. Learning objective: Officer will know what actions to take and teach staff concerning lock down and evacuation procedures during active shooter incident.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES Continued Learning objective: Officer will know actions to take and teach staff how to hide out and fortify classrooms to protect from school shooter intrusion. Learning objective: Officer will know actions to take and teach staff when active shooter is nearby. Learning objective: Officer will know actions to take for self-defense and last resort actions for teachers and students. Learning objective: Officer will know and teach staff/faculty and students how to avoid capture by school shooter and escape. Learning objective: Officer will know and teach staff/faculty and students how to properly and safely evacuate a building during a school shooting secured by law enforcement. Learning objective: Officer will know and teach staff/faculty and students on what to look for and remember to provide INTEL to responding Law Enforcement. Learning objective: Officer will know how to train and prepare for school shooting incidents. Learning objective: Officer will know key components of school Emergency Operations Plan.

ACTIVE SHOOTER An important function of the School-Based Law Enforcement (SBLE) and/or Security Officer is to respond to the changing security needs of our schools and in the protection of our country’s most precious natural resource – “Our Children”.

ACTIVE SHOOTER An active shooter is an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area such as a school. Active shooters usually use firearms and select their victims at random. Active shooter situations are unpredictable and evolve quickly.

ACTIVE SHOOTER Typically, the immediate deployment of law enforcement is required to end the shooting and mitigate harm to victims. Because active shooter situations are often over within ten to fifteen minutes, before law enforcement arrives on the scene, individuals must be prepared both mentally and physically to deal with an active shooter situation.

RECONGIZING ACTIVE SHOOTER An active shooter in your school may be a hostile parent, or current or former employee, Or an acquaintance of a current or former employee (estranged spouse). Intuitive school staff may notice characteristics of potentially violent behavior in a person.

RECONGIZING ACTIVE SHOOTER Alert your campus SBLE officer or Security Officer if you believe a parent or employee exhibits potentially violent behavior.

ACTIVE SHOOTER PROFILE Increased use of alcohol and/or illegal drugs Unexplained increase in absenteeism; vague physical complaints Noticeable decrease in attention to appearance and hygiene Depression / withdrawal Resistance and overreaction to changes in school policy and procedures

ACTIVE SHOOTER PROFILE Increased severe mood swings Noticeably unstable, emotional responses Explosive outbursts of anger or rage without provocation Suicidal; comments about “putting things in order” Behavior which is suspect of paranoia, (“everybody is against me”) Increasingly talks of problems at home

ACTIVE SHOOTER PROFILE Escalation of domestic problems into the workplace; talk of severe financial problems Talk of previous incidents of violence Empathy with individuals committing violence Increase in unsolicited comments about firearms, other dangerous weapons and violent crimes Threat towards teachers or staff

COPING WITH ACTIVE SHOOTER SITUATION Be aware of your environment and any possible dangers Take note of the two nearest exits in any facility you visit If you are in an office, stay there and secure the door If you are in a hallway, get into a room and secure the door

COPING WITH ACTIVE SHOOTER SITUATION As a last resort, attempt to take the active shooter down. When the shooter is at close range and you cannot flee, your chance of survival is much greater if you try to incapacitate him/her. CALL 911 WHEN IT IS SAFE TO DO SO

How to respond when an Active Shooter is in your school Quickly determine the most reasonable way to protect your own life. Remember that students and other staff are likely to follow the lead of teachers and the principal during an active shooter situation. You need a good rehearsed Emergency Operations Plan know by all staff.

Active Shooter Evacuate or Lock Down If there is an accessible escape path, attempt to evacuate the premises. Be sure to Have an escape route and plan in mind. Evacuate regardless of whether others agree to follow. Leave your belongings behind

How to respond when an Active Shooter is in your school Help others escape, if possible Prevent individuals from entering an area where the active shooter may be When exiting Keep your hands visible Follow the instructions of any police officers Do not attempt to move wounded people - Call 911 when you are safe

Active Shooter Hide Out If evacuation is not possible, find a place to hide where the active shooter is less likely to find you. Your hiding place should: Be out of the active shooter’s view

How to respond when an Active Shooter is in your school Provide protection if shots are fired in your direction (i.e., an office with a closed and locked door) Not trap you or restrict your options for movement To prevent an active shooter from entering your hiding place: Lock the door blockade the door with heavy furniture

If the Active Shooter is nearby Lock the door Silence your cell phone and/or pager Turn off any source of noise (i.e., radios, televisions) Hide behind large items (i.e., cabinets, desks) Remain quiet

If evacuation and/or hiding are not possible Remain calm Dial 911, if possible, to alert police to the active shooter’s location If you cannot speak, leave the line open and allow the dispatcher to listen

Active Shooter Last Resort Take action against the active shooter As a last resort, and only when your life is in imminent danger, attempt to disrupt and/or incapacitate the active shooter by: Acting as aggressively as possible against him/her Throwing items and improvising weapons Yelling Committing to your actions – Total Resolve

HOW TO RESPOND WHEN LAW ENFORCEMENT ARRIVES Law enforcement’s purpose is to stop the active shooter as soon as possible. Officers will proceed directly to the area in which the last shots were heard.

Active Shooter Law Enforcement Response Officers usually arrive in teams of four (4) Officers may wear regular patrol uniforms or external bulletproof vests, Kevlar helmets, and other tactical equipment Officers may be armed with rifles, shot guns, hand guns How will they look?

Active Shooter Law Enforcement Response Officers may use pepper spray or tear gas to control the situation Officers may shout commands, and may push individuals to the ground for their safety

How to React When Law Enforcement Arrives Remain calm, and follow officers’ instructions Put down any items in your hands (i.e., bags, jackets) Immediately raise hands and spread fingers Keep hands visible at all times

How to React When Law Enforcement Arrives Avoid making quick movements toward officers such as attempting to hold on to them for safety Avoid pointing, screaming and/or yelling Do not stop to ask officers for help or direction when evacuating, just proceed in the direction from which officers are entering the premises

Provide INTEL to Arriving Law Enforcement Location of the active shooter Number of shooters, if more than one Physical description of shooter/s Number and type of weapons held by the shooter/s Number of potential victims at the location

RESCUE TEAMS The first officers to arrive to the scene will not stop to help injured persons. Expect rescue teams comprised of additional officers and emergency medical personnel to follow the initial officers. These rescue teams will treat and remove any injured persons. They may also call upon able-bodied individuals to assist in removing the wounded from the premises

SAFE AREA Once you have reached a safe location or an assembly point, you will likely be held in that area by law enforcement until the situation is under control, and all witnesses have been identified and questioned. Do not leave the safe location or assembly point until law enforcement authorities have instructed you to do so.

Inside a secure building

TRAINING The most effective way to train your staff to respond to an active shooter situation is to conduct mock active shooter training exercises. Local law enforcement is an excellent resource in designing training exercises.

TRAINING Recognizing the sound of gunshots Reacting quickly when gunshots are heard and/or when a shooting is witnessed: Evacuating the area Lock Down - Hiding out

TRAINING Adopting the survival mind set during times of crisis Acting against the shooter as a last resort Calling 911 Reacting when law enforcement arrives Adopting the survival mind set during times of crisis Krav Maga Training

Components of an Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) Create the EOP with input from several stakeholders including your school staff, your School-Based Law Enforcement (SBLE) and/or Security Officers, Fire Department and Emergency Services, your school counseling department (if one exists), your school district property manager, and local law enforcement. An effective EOP includes:

Trauma Counseling will be critical

Components of an Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) A preferred method for reporting fires and other emergencies A lock down and/or evacuation policy and procedure Emergency escape procedures and route assignments (i.e., floor plans, safe areas) Contact information for, and responsibilities of individuals to be contacted under the EOP

Components of an Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) Information concerning local area hospitals (i.e., name, telephone number, and distance from your location) An emergency notification system to alert key stakeholders of an emergency including: Individuals at remote locations within premises Local law enforcement Local area hospitals Components of Training Exercises

Components of an Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) Medical Triage site & Air Life Medvac LZ School District and Law Enforcement Media Center. Parent holding – containment area Trauma Counseling Site Mortuary where will deceased victims be taken.

RESOURCES Safety Guidelines for Armed Subjects, Active Shooter Situations, Indiana University Police Department, April 2007. Safety Tips & Guidelines Regarding Potential “Active Shooter” Incidents Occurring on Campus, University of California Police. When Seconds Count (DVD), Center for Safe Communities & Schools- Texas State University,2007. How to Plan for Workplace Emergencies and Evacuations, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Health and Safety Administration, OSHA 3088, 2001

George D. Little, Director Presenter Contact Information George D. Little, Director 350 N. Guadalupe, Suite 140, PMB 164 San Marcos, Texas 78666. 877-304-2727 www.cscs.txstate.edu