Law enforcement strategy has changed for mass-shooting incidents, and so should yours.
William F. McCarthy, president of Threat Research, an international security-management consulting firm, says the traditional response in the past was to attempt to contain the shooter and possibly negotiate. However, in a mass-shooting scenario, the shooter or terrorist is typically willing to die and negotiation is not an option. He says first responders are now trained to go directly after the shooters, temporarily bypassing injured victims. Your response could save your life:
• Be aware. Distracted people are the most vulnerable. Pay attention to anything out of the ordinary.
• Take action. If something seems unusual and suspicious, move to a safer area with more people, visible security or exits. If you hear the sound of gunfire, and can safely exit in the opposite direction, do it.
• Take cover. If exiting isn’t an option, look for a nearby "safe room" with a substantial door that locks. Place any large items against the door. If no safe room is accessible, take cover behind a barrier such as a concrete wall, steel elevator, escalator or a large plant container.
• Turn off any noise and silence your cell phone.
• Call for help. Call 911 or another emergency number. If possible, report what’s happening. If not, just leave the line open and let them listen.
• Stay hidden. Any movement may place you in a shooter’s line of fire or crossfire with police. Stay put until police declare an end to the incident.
• Do not open doors until you are sure it is safe. Be suspicious of any requests to open your security perimeter -- these could be coming from the shooter.
• Help others. In today’s environment, the injured typically will not be tended to until the shooter is captured or killed. Do what you can within your zone of safety.
You can download or print a booklet on active-shooter preparedness from Homeland Security at www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/active_shooter_booklet.pdf
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