According to the New York Times and Fox News, the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District (UCISD) in Texas had many security measures in place before May 24, 2022, when the incident occurred. The mass shooting at the Robb Elementary School is a tragedy that should never have taken place; but also an opportunity to make sure that a similar occurrence doesn’t happen again.
It also shows that even despite countless preparations, sometimes systems fail. The error of the law enforcement is an exception rather than a rule, therefore it is difficult to account for.
However, having a good understanding of the threat, adequate mitigation measures and awareness of the region-specific protocols followed by the authorities can still go a long way in preventing tragedies.
There are multiple approaches to this particular threat. Active Shooter – sometimes called an Active Assailant depending on the geographical region – is a scenario where one or more armed attackers are actively engaging (or attempting to engage) in killing. Those situations tend to evolve quickly and often play out before the law enforcement arrives at the location. Therefore, people should be trained, prepared, and aware of how to behave. Something as simple as knowing evacuation routes can save someone’s life.
Active Shooter Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and Action Card describe procedures that should be carried out concerning such an incident. The primary aim is to prevent it, but it can also save lives, or reduce the number of wounded.
It is worth noting, however, that the exact content of such a document can vary depending on the geographical location. For example, RUN – HIDE – FIGHT is the standard advice followed in the US, while in the EU it is RUN – HIDE – TELL.
Ultimately, it is up to each Security Manager to ensure that appropriate systems, security measures, procedures and training are in place.
We hope that our Active Shooter/Active Assailant Scenario Pack is of help to those organizations where such preparations are lacking. This Scenario Pack might serve as a starting point to ensuring safety and security, and hopefully, will help prevent any more unnecessary tragedies.
