Presented by J Pete Blair PhD Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training ALERRT Texas State University Outline Disaster Response Psychology Defining and Identifying Active Shooter Events ASE ID: 697359
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Response to Active Shooter Events
Presented by J. Pete Blair, Ph.D.Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT)Texas State University
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Outline
Disaster Response PsychologyDefining and Identifying Active Shooter Events (ASE)Civilian ASE Response PolicySlide3
Disaster Response
The background science of how people behave in high stress eventsSlide4Slide5
Three Stages of Disaster Response
Denial
DeliberationDecisive MomentRipley, A. (2008).
The Unthinkable: Who Survives When Disaster Strikes And Why
. New York: Three Rivers Press.Slide6
Denial
When in a disaster, many people do not admit that is a disaster or underestimate the severityIt is common for people to delay taking actionThis delay costs time and lives
So why do people do it?Normalcy BiasSocial ProofSlide7
Denial
Normalcy BiasWe expect things to be like they always are
A new situation is not expected The brain will first try to describe the new situation as a normal oneIt takes time and data for the brain to recognize that we are not in a normal situationSlide8
Denial
Social Proof (also linked to diffusion of responsibility)In novel or ambiguous situations we look to others for information on how to actIf others are doing nothing, you will tend to do nothing
If others are acting, you will tend to actSlide9
Denial/DeliberationSlide10
Deliberation
Once people have moved past the denial phase, they enter the deliberation phaseYou must decide what to doThis is a problem
Your brain is probably not functioning well because of the stressSlide11
Deliberation:
Your BrainC System
RefleCtiveThinking brainFlexibleRational
SlowX System
RefleXive
Reacting Brain
Fixed
Emotional
FastSlide12
Deliberation
Stress Response PhysiologyAdrenaline is dumped into the bloodstreamHeart and breathing rates increase
Blood is shunted to the large muscles and essential organsCortisol is dumped into the blood – constricts blood vesselsBlood pressure spikesYou are stronger, faster, and will bleed lessSlide13
Deliberation
Stress Response Side EffectsYour C brain is seriously impairedVision narrows
Auditory exclusionTime distortionSlide14
Deliberation
When your C system is shut down, you are left with your X systemThe default X system responses are Fight
Flight FreezeThese are pretty good responses – but unfocusedSlide15
DeliberationSlide16
DeliberationSlide17
Deliberation
So what do we do?Keep your C system functioning longerTry to calm yourself
Combat breathingShift your emotionUse your C system to program your X systemThink through likely events and responses to them before a disasterPractice your actionsSlide18
Decisive Moment
Once a decision is madeIt is time to actSo act! – With purpose!Slide19
Active Shooter EventsSlide20
Active Shooter Event Definition
An active shooter event involves one or more persons engaged in killing or attempting to kill multiple people in an area occupied by multiple unrelated individuals.Slide21
The Shooter
There is no set “Profile”MindsetDeliberate, Focused,
Uncaring - DetachedCoward - BullyMany kill themselves when confronted by the policeSlide22
Characteristics of AS Situations
Event happens quickly Can happen anywherePost offices
BusinessesSchoolsMilitary basesChurchesHospitalsSlide23
Signs of an ASE
Hear or see gunshotsBodies on the floor / bloodied victimsLot of yelling, screaming, praying, disbelief, denial
People running and hidingSlide24
Fort Hood, TX (2009)
1 Shooter
12 Killed
31 InjuredSlide25
Reliable Metals, AL (2009)
1 Shooter
Started by killing his family
Went mobile shooting random peopleEnded up at his former employer
Committed suicide
10 DeadSlide26
Edmond, OK
Post Office (1986)
Postal Employee
Killed 14Wounded 6Killed HimselfSlide27
Columbine Video – 13 Killed – 21 WoundedSlide28
Mumbai – at least 172 KilledSlide29
Number of Deaths
The number of deaths is affected by two factorsHow quickly the police respondHow quickly the shooter can find victims
ALERRT trains police how to respond quicklyWe are training you now to slow the rate at which the shooter can find victimsSlide30
ResponseSlide31
Denial
Need to get past this phase as quickly as possibleIf you hear gunshots of something that could be gunshots, act as if it is an active shooterGo straight to deliberationSlide32
Deliberation
3 options based upon 2 of the X system basic responsesFlightAvoid
DenyFightDefendFreeze – Always the wrong choiceSlide33
Deliberation
The event will happen very quicklyYou will not have time to develop new plansYou must plan in advanceIf you do not have a plan beforehand the delay in deciding what to do may cost you and others their lives
Failure to plan is planning to failSlide34
Deliberation
The Basic PlanAvoid the confrontation
Deny access to your locationDefend yourselfSlide35
Avoid
Be vigilant/awareKnow escape routes for your locationExitsWindows
StairwellsDecide to leave at the first opportunity and reportSlide36
Deny
Lock doorsBarricade access pointsDoor stops
FurnitureRope doors closedCover interior windowsDarken the roomGo back into Avoid modeSlide37
Defend
The Active Shooter is trying to kill you!If you can’t flee, you must fight!
Use a “pack” mentalitySwarm the shooterDo not stopUse whatever weapons you haveAttack weak spots (Throat, eyes, groin)Slide38
Defend
Get as close as you can to the access point before the shooter entersTry to get a hold of the gun and get it pointed away from peopleSlide39
Defend
HidingThere are very few things that will stop a bullet in most locationsSlide40
Defend
Have a survivor’s (not a victim’s) mindsetDecide right now that your are going to do whatever it takes to survive
Getting shot does not mean that you are deadThe fact that you are still alive after the impact means that there is a good chance you will surviveYou can and must keep going!Slide41
People Shot and Killed at VTSlide42
When Police Arrive
Uniformed and plain clothes – multiple agenciesPrimary Goal – Stop the KillingPriority of workFind and confront the shooter
Will NOT stop to help the woundedWill NOT escort people outHelp the woundedClear people from the buildingSlide43
When the Police Arrive
Understanding the POLICE point of viewThe situation will be chaotic
They do not know who is a victim or suspectThey will treat everyone as a suspect until proven otherwiseOfficers will be experiencing high stress, just like you Slide44
When the Police Arrive
Respond AppropriatelyFollow commands (You might be handcuffed)Keep your hands visible at all times and show your palms
Do not move or move slowly if you mustSlide45
Personnel Issues
This will be a traumatic eventExpect mental trauma ShockNightmares
PTSDSurvivor’s guiltYou need a critical incident stress management planSlide46
PolicySlide47
Model ASE Policy
Our organization places the highest priority on the preservation of the lives of our employees and customers. If an active shooter event should occur, our employees shall use the Avoid, Deny, Defend model.If it is safe for them to do so, employees should exit the facility immediately to AVOID the shooter(s).
If employees are unable to safely exit the facility, they should lock themselves in their current location and barricade the door to DENY the shooter(s) access.In the event that employees are unable to utilize the AVOID and DENY strategies successfully, they should DEFEND themselves using whatever means are available.Regardless of the option(s) utilized, employees shall call emergency services (911) as soon as it is safe to do so.
In the event of an active shooter incident, all employees will be required to undergo mandatory mental health counseling.Slide48
Questions?
Pete Blair, Ph.D.blair@alerrt.org or jpeteblair@gmail.com