A day at work can come with many stressors: clients, deadlines, performance reviews, coworker conflicts, etc. What it shouldn’t come with is violence. But as history has shown, active shooter and mass casualty events can occur when you least expect it and escalate very quickly. Think about your facility’s personnel response to active shooter and mass casualty events. Would they know how to react, who to call, or where to go?
What is an active shooter?
An active shooter is a person actively engaged in killing/injuring people or attempting to kill/injure people in a populated location. Generally, active shooters rely on firearms as their weapon of choice.
Creating an EAP
The best way to begin is to create an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) to educate your staff on how to respond to any act of violence in the workplace. The EAP should be developed with input from several stakeholders, such as the HR department, training coordinators, facility owners, property managers, local emergency personnel and law enforcement, etc.
An effective EAP covers the following:
- How to report fires and other emergencies
- Evacuation procedures and policies
- Contact information for (and responsibilities of) persons to be contacted under the EAP
- A notification system to alert various parties of an emergency: remote workers, staff members on the premises in remote locations, law enforcement, local hospitals
Once an EAP is established, the most effective way to prepare staff for an active threat is to conduct training exercises. Your local police can help design exercised that help employees:
- Recognize the sound of gunshots.
- Learn to act quickly when shots are heard or a shooting is witnessed (Run, Hide, Fight).
- How to call 911.
- Understand the steps to take when law enforcement arrives to an incident.
More ways to prepare your staff for an active shooter:
- Make sure your facility has at least two evacuation routes.
- Post evacuation routes in heavily trafficked areas (bulletin boards, cafeterias, etc.).
- Encourage law enforcement and emergency responders to train for active shooter events at your location.
- Remain aware of indicators of workplace violence and act accordingly.
- Foster a positive and respectful workplace culture.
When violence occurs, protecting your people is your number one priority. Are you looking for custom materials to help? Our workplace safety product line offers comprehensive guidance on this topic and comes in a variety of fully customizable print formats to fit your needs and budget – from pocket guides, posters, and pamphlets to more compact pocket cards, magnets, and wallet cards. Contact an Account Manager now to discuss your goals and request a sample pack.