1. Active Shooter Response Training On the School Bus
Survival Mindset & Courses of Action
Columbine, Newtown, Midland City, What’s Next?

2. Topics for Discussion “Run, Hide, Fight” Video Emergency Management
Profile of an Active Shooter
Indicators of Potential Violence
Situational Awareness
Course of Action
LEO Response
Prevention
Summary
References

3. “Run, Hide, Fight”

4. Emergency Management Four Phases of Emergency (Crisis) Management:
Mitigation/Prevention addresses what schools and districts can do to reduce or eliminate risk to life and property.
Preparedness focuses on the process of planning for the worst-case scenario.
Response is devoted to the steps to take during a crisis.
Recovery deals with how to restore the learning and teaching environment after a crisis.

5. Profile of an Active Shooter
An individual, or group of individuals, actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area
Active shooters use firearm(s)
No pattern or method to their selection of victims
Could be anyone

6. Profile of an Active Shooter
Consequences are potentially catastrophic
Incidents over quickly (10-15 minutes)
First line of defense
Action taken by personnel on-site is the most effective way to stop the killing
Establishing a proper mindset and tools to react with purpose is called Survival Mindset
Odds of one’s involvement in workplace violence:
“One in One Million”

7. Profile of An Active Shooter
Common Myths
Out of the blue
Never saw it coming
He just snapped
Most situations will resolve themselves if given a cooling off period
Warning signs are always predictive of violent behavior
Violence is random, spontaneous, and unpredictable

8. Profile of An Active Shooter
Realities
Threats are almost always present
Leakage, warnings made through comments (intentional or unintentional) can reveal clues to feelings, thoughts, fantasies, or intentions that may result in violence
Erratic/abnormal behavior is a principle warning sign of future violence
Bullying is often a stepping stone to violence
The path toward violence, is an evolutionary one with signs posted along the way (indicators)

9. Indicators of Potential Violence
Offenders
Increased use of alcohol and/or illegal drugs
Often exhibit angry or argumentative behavior
Unexplained increases in absenteeism
Depression / withdrawal
Blame others for their problems
Repeated violations to policy and procedures
Fail to take responsibility for their own actions
Increased severe mood swings
Retaliate against perceived injustice

10. Indicators of Potential Violence
Other Concerns
Increasingly talks of problems at home
Increasing belligerence
Behavior which is suspect of paranoia “everybody is against me”
Hypersensitivity to criticism
Recent acquisition/fascination with weapons
Talk of previous incidents of violence
Empathy with individuals committing violence

11. Indicators of Potential Violence
Other Concerns (Cont.)
Preoccupation with violent themes, video games
Interest in recently publicized violent events
Outburst of anger
Extreme disorganization
Noticeable changes in behavior
Homicidal/suicidal comments or threats

12. Indicators of Potential Violence
Suicide
“Putting things in order”
May not be perceived as a threat to others
Serious danger sign
Described as violence directed inward
Many campus shootings end in offender suicide

13. Indicators of Potential Violence
Motives:
61% motivated by desire for revenge
75% felt bullied/persecuted/threatened by others
Statistics:
93% of attackers engaged in some behavior prior to the attack that caused others to be concerned
93% of attackers planned out the attack in advance
95% of attackers were current students

14. Situational Awareness
Shootings can occur anytime, anywhere, to anyone
Unlike any situation ever experienced
Bottom Line: You need to take direct responsibility for your personal safety and security
Survival Mindset is a protective shield
Comprised of three components: Awareness, Preparation, and Rehearsal

15. Situational Awareness
Survival Mindset Components
Awareness
Gain a basic understanding of situation
Be aware of your environment and any possible dangers
Take note of the two nearest exits in any facility you visit
Predetermined mindset will help you take rapid, effective actions

16. Situational Awareness
Survival Mindset Components (Cont.)
Preparation
Looking at your school environment through the lens of survival
“What if” questions are critical in developing effective response strategies
Survivors prepare themselves both mentally and emotionally to do whatever it takes to survive
Rehearsal
Mentally or physically practicing your plan
Will reduce response time and build confidence
A survival inoculation

17. Situational Awareness
Life-Threatening Risk:
Any action taken, or not taken, during an active- shooter incident may involve life-threatening risk
Survival Mindset:
Will provide a strong foundation upon which to base decisions and actions

18. Situational Awareness
Figure Out
How are you going to survive?
Will you get out (Run)? (Is there a path of escape?)
Will you hide out?
Is there a chance to get to where the shooter may not find you?
Is your only option to take out (fight) the shooter? Last resort!

19. Course of Action Survival Mindset Continuous Assessment Process
Enables you to act quickly and effectively
Mindful, not fearful
Airline safety briefing
Better able to make that first, critical decision
Continuous Assessment Process
Allows you to take appropriate survival action
Use all senses
Trust your intuition—that “gut” feeling (knowing without knowing why)

20. Course of Action Get Out (Run) Call Out
Move quickly; don’t wait for others to validate your decision
Leave belongings behind
Survival chances increase if you are not where shooter is or go where he can’t see you
Call Out
Inform authorities
Call and tell them the name of shooter (if known), shooter description, location, number and type of weapons

21. Course of Action Hide Out May not be able to get out
Shooter between you and the only exit
Would have to enter area where shooter is positioned
Hiding place
Well hidden and well protected
Avoid places that might trap you or restrict movement

22. Course of Action Keep Out
Find a room that can be locked with objects to hide behind
Blockade door with heavy furniture
Turn out lights; become totally silent
Turn off noise-producing devices
Call (If you can do so without alerting the shooter)

23. Course of Action Spread Out
If two or more of you, DO NOT huddle together; gives you options and makes it harder for the shooter
Quietly develop a plan of action in the event the shooter enters
Remain calm
Can have a contagious effect on others
Keeps others focused on survival

24. Course of Action Take Out (LAST RESORT)
Assume shooter’s intentions are lethal
Shooter will succeed in shooting all those with whom he comes in contact, UNLESS you stop him
Develop a survival mindset that you have “what it takes” to survive when your life is on the line
You must be prepared to do whatever it takes to neutralize the threat
Throw things, yell, use improvised weapons
If two or more of you, make a plan to overcome the shooter
Do the best that you can—choose to survive

25. Arm Yourself with a Survival Mindset

26. Law Enforcement Responders
Interacting with Law Enforcement Responders
DO NOT expect officers to assist you as you get out
Primary job is to locate the shooter and neutralize the threat
Medical assistance will follow once the threat is neutralized
Law Enforcement must assume everyone is a threat to their safety
Be prepared to:
have weapons pointed in your direction
be subject to search
be handcuffed
Be questioned

27. Law Enforcement Response
Interacting with Law Enforcement Responders
When Law Enforcement officers enter the room, do not present a threat to them
DO NOT:
Point at them or the shooter
Make quick movements
Run towards them or attempt to hug them
Scream or yell
Have anything in your hands; officers are taught that “hands kill”

28. Law Enforcement Response
Interacting with Law Enforcement Responders
DO:
Raise your arms
Spread your fingers
Show hands as you drop to the floor
Spread arms and legs

29. Response On A School Bus
Be observant of the environment you travel by each day, fall back on your First Observer Training.
Situational Awareness
Safety and Security Plans
Fall back on your training to react (think quickly)
If you see something that is not right at the bus stop as you pull up, (guy with a gun) don’t stop, continue to drive pass the stop and call dispatch with your observations.
If you have already stopped and something happens, Remember to “KEEP CALM”
We have LIMITED options in the confined space on the bus

30. Response On A School Bus
Limited Options:
Take Action: RUN, HIDE, FIGHT
If something just doesn’t seem right at the stop, don’t make the stop, continue past and call Dispatch for assistance.
If you stop and something happens, Depress RED Emergency Button
Remember, help is on the way once the button is pushed
Dispatch will contact you over the radio and if no response, LEO will be called and you will be tracked using AVL/GPS
If possible, leave radio microphone in the “Keyed Open” position.
If demands are made, follow the demands.
Hiding is not an option for us at this point.

31. Response On A School Bus
As the absolute LAST RESORT, Take Out the threat:
If the weapon was used (Shots fired), you have to assume the shooter’s intentions are deadly
Shooter will succeed in shooting all those with whom he comes in contact, UNLESS you stop him
You must be prepared to do whatever it takes to neutralize the threat
Throw things, yell, use improvised weapons
If you can, make a plan to overcome the shooter
Do the best that you can—choose to survive
If possible, students should exit the bus using the emergency exits and run……to safety

32. Response On A School Bus
When Law Enforcement Responds:
DO:
Raise your arms
Spread your fingers
Show hands as you exit the bus
Spread arms and legs

33. Prevention
If suspicious or uncomfortable, report your observations and feelings: “See Something, Say Something”
Violence and threats of violence
Often result from frustration and a communication breakdown
Individuals can make a difference
Listen to “troubled” individual
People want to be heard and understood
A safe campus is everyone’s responsibility

34. Prevention Warning Signs
Administrators should probe to discover if the subject has engaged in research, planning, or preparation (e.g., researched weapons or made attempts to obtain a weapon). Movement from thought to action represents a severe escalation of the risk of violence. Use the District’s Threat Response Procedure.
Approximately 80% of school shootings at least one person had information that the attacker was thinking about or planning the school attack. In nearly 66%, more than one person had information about the attack before it occurred. In nearly all of these cases, the person who knew was a peer, a friend, schoolmate, or sibling.
Despite prompt law enforcement responses, most attacks were stopped by means other than law enforcement intervention.
Be conscious of the “Werther Effect,” defined as a duplication or copycat of another suicidal act. School shootings are typically well- publicized, sensationalized events that can trigger an increase in similar acts for roughly days or weeks after the attack.

35. Summary
See Something, Say Something: Tell a supervisor: Use the “District Threat Response Procedure” for all threats
Recognizing the sound of gunshots
Reacting quickly when gunshots are heard or when a shooting is witnessed:
Run
Hide
Fight (Take Action)
Call 911
Reacting when Law Enforcement arrives
Adopting the survival mindset during times of crisis

36. References
Safety Guidelines for Armed Subjects, Active Shooters Situations, Indiana University Police Department, April 2007
Safety tips and guidelines regarding potential “Active Shooter” incidents occurring on campus, University of California Police
Workplace Violence Desk reference, Security Management Group International
How to Plan for Workplace Emergencies and Evacuations, US Department of labor, OSHA 3088, 2001
Active Shooter, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Oct 2008

37. An Active Shooter Course
DHS Course, Active Shooter, What You Can Do, Response to an Active Shooter Training (Online)

38. Questions?