11 Things I Learned at Active Shooter Preparedness Training

This week, I attended a lot of training. I had a two-day refresher on the COBIT 5.0 business/IT framework, and I had active shooter preparedness training yesterday by Virginia Capitol Police. Here's what I learned from the latter:

1. Your response should be Run, Hide, or Fight (in that order).
2. Look around your office and make a quick evacuation plan in case you had to flee. It's a good idea to do this when you go to new places. 
3. If you are hiding, cover windows, turn out lights, and mute your cell phone. A phone on vibrate could give away your location.
4. Look around your office and see what you could use as a weapon if you had to. 
5. When fleeing or evacuating, stay calm. Put your hands up and spread out your fingers. The first responders may not know who the shooters are, and if you're carrying a bag or jacket, you don't want to be mistaken for a shooter.
6. Most active shooter incidents are over in ten to fifteen minutes, but it does take law enforcement quite a while to clear a building after an event. If you're hiding, stay put until you're cleared by law enforcement.
7. If you are hiding, lock your door or find something to block it. 
8. The first police on scene for an active shooting are there to neutralize the shooter(s). They are not there initially to aid victims. 
9. If you call 911 to report a shooting, be able to provide as much information as you can (e.g. number of shooters, location, number of victim, types of guns, etc.)
10. Always follow all law enforcement instructions. It's a tense situation, and everyone is stressed. Don't make sudden moves. Stay calm.
11. If you're in danger, find cover that will protect you from bullets (e.g. cement walls, heavy desks, etc.). Cars are not good cover unless you can get behind the engine block.

It was a good session. I tend to look for escape routes when I'm in new places (or on trains or planes). I'm a CK (cop's kid), and that was drummed in my head my whole life. Always have a plan. Also, I think it's important to know what you have in your office in case you do have to fight. (There's a heavy duty fire extinguisher outside my office.) 

I hope you never have to experience a horrific event. But it is a good idea to be prepared. Make a plan.

Unusual (But Practical) Gifts...

Most girls get flowers or other gifts from their dad. My dad, the cop, always put safety and preparedness first. I received flowers too, but these are some of the more unusual gifts he's given me over the years.

Car Emergency Device - When I moved to Richmond, VA (River City), he gave me a multifunctional tool for my car. It has a metal head that can break a car window if you drive off a bridge and can't get out of a submerged car. It also has a blade on the handle for cutting through a seat belt. We have one now in each car.

Emergency Fire Escape - When we moved into a two-story house, he gave me a portable fire escape that you can throw out a window and climb down to safety. It lives under my bed.

Window and Sliding Glass Door Locks - When I moved into my first apartment. He did a safety check and brought additional window locks and a device for the sliding glass door.

DNA Kit - Once, he gave me a DNA kit in case I went missing. The idea was to swab your mouth and put the sample in a container for storage in case it was needed.

Whistles, Pepper Gas, and Flashlights - He's given me several whistles, econo-sized pepper gas canisters, and a Maglight flashlight that doubles as a small bat.

And often when I leave their house, my southern mom sends food home, and my dad sends bullets that can be used on the practice range. The gifts are unusual, but I know he loves me and is looking out for me. I had an unusual childhood, but I wouldn't trade it for the world.