SURVIVING AN ACTIVE SHOOTER/ LOCKDOWN INCIDENT

Det. Christopher J. CybellMenomonee Falls PD

Survival MindsetSurvival Mindset• Workplace / School / Business shootings can occur anytime, 

anywhere to anyone Unlike anything you’ve experiencedanywhere, to anyone – Unlike anything you ve experienced

• Bottom line: You need to take direct responsibility for yourBottom line: You need to take direct responsibility for your safety and security

• Survival Mindset is a protective shield– AwarenessP ti– Preparation

– Rehearsal ** It’s not fear It’s awareness It s not fear. It s awareness.

Survival MindsetSurvival Mindset

ComponentsComponents

✦Awareness

• Gain a basic understanding of situation

• Become attuned to work environment

• Predetermined mindset will help you take rapid, effective actions

Survival MindsetSurvival MindsetComponents

✦ Preparation

– Looking at your work environment through th l f i l

✦ Rehearsal

• Mentally or physicallythe lens of survival

– “What if” questions are critical in developing effective response

Mentally or physically practicing your plan

✦Will reduce response time effective response strategies

– Survivors prepare themselves both

pand build confidence

• A survival inoculation

themselves both mentally and emotionally to do whatever it takes to survive

Survival MindsetSurvival Mindset

Life‐Threatening RiskLife Threatening Risk

✦Any action taken or not taken during an active‐✦Any action taken, or not taken, during an activeshooter incident may involve life‐threatening risk

Survival Mindset 

✦Will provide a strong foundation upon which to base decisions and actions

Courses of ActionCourses of Action

Trained versus UntrainedT i d U t i d

✦ First response is the same for both groups

Trained Untrained

Startle and fear Startle and fear

Feel Anxious Panicboth groups✦ Reactions begin to differ 

markedly from there on out

Recall what they have learned

Fall into disbelief

Prepare to act as  Lost in denialrehearsed

Commit to action Descend into helplessness

Courses of ActionCourses of Action

Survival Mindset✦Enables you to act quickly and effectively✦Mindful, not fearful

• Airline safet briefing• Airline safety briefing• Better able to make that first, critical decision

C ti tContinuous assessment process✦Allows you to take appropriate survival action✦Use all senses✦Use all senses✦Trust you intuition—that “gut” feeling 

• Knowing without knowing why

Does it Really Work,,,Does it Really Work,,,

Two Scenarios to Initiate a LockdownTwo Scenarios to Initiate a Lockdown

• Threat outside the facility but in closeThreat outside the facility, but in close proximity.

• Threat / Intruder inside the facility. 

– Both scenarios have similarities in what should be done. 

Courses of ActionCourses of Action

• Figure It OutFigure It Out– What’s going on?Where is it happening?– Where is it happening?

– Who is doing it?Use all o r senses– Use all your senses

– Constantly evaluateT i i i– Trust your intuition

• Knowing without knowing why

Lockout / LockdownLockout / Lockdown

• Close and lock the door where you are atClose and lock the door where you are at.• Cover window to door if possible.T ff li h• Turn off lights.

• Find a safe wall.• Listen for further directions.

Violence in the BuildingViolence in the Building

• Get Out– Move quickly; don’t wait for others to validate your decision

– Leave belongings behind– Chance for survival increases if your not where the shooter/aggressor is or if you are where theshooter/aggressor is or if you are where the shooter/aggressor can’t see you

– Call Out• Call 9‐1‐1 and give the name of shooter (if known), shooter description, location, number and type of weapons

Hide OutHide Out

• May not be able to get outMay not be able to get out– Shooter is between you and the exitMay have to enter area where shooter is– May have to enter area where shooter is 

Hidi l• Hiding places– Well hidden and protected– Avoid places that trap you or restrict your movement

Hide OutHide Out

• Find a room that can be locked with objectsFind a room that can be locked with objects to hide behind

• Blockade door with heavy objects• Blockade door with heavy objects• Turn off lights and become totally silent• Turn off noise‐producing items• Call 9‐1‐1 (If you can without alerting ( y gshooter)

Spread OutSpread Out

• Do not huddle together if two or more are in a groom– Gives you options and makes it harder for actor.

• Quietly develop a plan of action in the event the shooter enters

• Remain Calm– Can be contagious– Keeps others focused on survival

Take OutTake Out • Must realize the shooter’s intentions are lethal• Actor will succeed in killing all those he/she comes in contact with unless you stop him/her.

• Develop a survival mindset that you have “what it• Develop a survival mindset that you have  what it takes” to survive when faced with a life‐threatening situationM t b d t d h t it t k t• Must be prepared to do whatever it takes to neutralize the threat– Throw things, yell, use improvised weapons– If two or more, plan to overtake the shooter– Choose to survive and do the best you can

Courses of ActionCourses of Action

As events unfold, you must  September 11th, ycontinue to Figure Out using your personal assessment process

pconventional wisdom✦Until that tragic day, guidance 

called for those involved to beprocess✦Adjust your actions 

accordingly✦ i h

called for those involved to be calm,     non‐threatening

✦United Flight 93 changed that guidance; passengers quickly✦No two active shooter 

incidents are the same

guidance; passengers quickly figured out what was occurring and took action

• Prevented further loss of lifePrevented further loss of life

Law Enforcement ResponseLaw Enforcement Response

• Active shooter / violent encounterActive shooter / violent encounter– Police response times nationally average 3 minutes.minutes.

– Trained to move to “sound of violence”.– Response will be all encompassing with many– Response will be all encompassing with many departments assisting.  

– Reality is that many incidents are over before lawReality is that many incidents are over before law enforcement arrives.

Active Shooter vs. Hostage SituationActive Shooter vs. Hostage Situation

Require different behavioral responses q pActive Shooter✦An armed individual who has used deadly force and ycontinues to do so with unrestricted access

✦Can involveSi l h l i l h• Single shooters, multiple shooters

• Close encounters, distant encounters• Targeted students, random victims• Single‐room confrontations, mobile confrontations

✦No two situations are alike

Active Shooter vs. Hostage SituationActive Shooter vs. Hostage Situation

Hostage Situationg

✦Involves an armed and dangerous individual who may or may not have already used deadly forcemay or may not have already used deadly force

✦In most cases, his access will be restricted; significant , ; gdifference is the containment of the offender and victim

✦Motive can vary between substantive or expressive

Active Shooter vs. Hostage SituationActive Shooter vs. Hostage Situation

Hostage‐Takers

✦Express their behavior or vent their frustration• Undertake actions that bring them into contact with Law 

fEnforcement

✦Realize that ONLY by keeping their hostages alive can they hope to achieve their goalsthey hope to achieve their goals

• Understand failure to do so will:– change the incident dynamicsg y– increase likelihood authorities will use force to resolve the incident

Active Shooter vs. Hostage SituationActive Shooter vs. Hostage Situation

Hostage survival can be genhanced if you:

✦Remain calm ✦Find the middle position (not✦Remain calm✦Follow directions✦Avoid sudden movements

✦Find the middle position (not too assertive/passive)

✦Personalize yourself✦Don’t argue

✦Maintain eye contact (but don’t stare)

✦Don t argue✦Don’t be a nuisance✦Don’t turn your back

Active Shooter vs. Hostage SituationActive Shooter vs. Hostage Situation

Law Enforcement Negotiation Efforts

✦Will take time; be mentally prepared for a protracted situation

✦Law Enforcement negotiators will use active listening skills to:

• Communicate with hostage‐taker• Defuse emotions• Build rapport• Work towards a peaceful resolution

✦Historically, most hostage situations have been resolved through negotiations and ended peacefully

Behaviors of ConcernBehaviors of Concern

Workplace violencep

✦Any action or violent acts by a disturbed or aggrieved employee, or former employee, against co‐workers or supervisors

✦Any action that may:• Threaten the safety of an employee• Impact employee’s physical and/or psychological well‐being• Cause damage to company property

Workplace Violenceh fBehaviors of Concern

• Often described as mass murder by disgruntled y gemployee, parent, student – but is relatively infrequent

• Threats, harassment, bullying, domestic violence, stalking, emotional abuse, intimidation– Left unchecked, can turn deadlyB h i t h l d d i i t t– Behaviors teachers, counselors, and administrators must deal with daily

Behaviors of ConcernBehaviors of ConcernCommon myths

✦Out of the blue ✦Most situations will resolve themselves if given a 

li ff i d✦Never saw it coming

✦He just snapped

cooling off period

✦Warning signs are always predictive of violentpredictive of violentbehavior

✦Violence is random, spontaneous, and unpredictable

Behaviors of ConcernBehaviors of Concern

Realities

✦ Threats almost always present

✦✦ Bullying is often a steppingstone 

✦ Leakage, warnings made through comments (intentional or unintentional) can reveal clues to feelings, thoughts, fantasies, or

to violence

✦ The path toward violence is an evolutionary one with signpostsfeelings, thoughts, fantasies, or 

intentions that may result in violence

evolutionary one with signposts along the way

✦ Erratic/abnormal behavior is a principal warning sign of future violence

Behaviors of ConcernBehaviors of Concern

• Four categories of violence (OSHA, FBI, NIOSHA)g ( , , )– Type 1 – Violent acts by criminals that have no connection to the workplaceType 2 – Violence directed at employees by– Type 2 – Violence directed at employees by customers, clients, patients, students, inmates, or any others for whom the organization provides serviceservice

– Type 3 – Violence against co‐workers, supervisors, or managers by a present or past employeeT 4 Vi l i d i h k l b– Type 4 – Violence committed in the workplace by someone who doesn’t work there but has personal relationship with an employee – domestic abuse

Behaviors of ConcernsBehaviors of Concerns

• Conditions/stressors that lead to violence/– Personality conflict– Mishandled termination or disciplinary action– Drug and alcohol use/abuse– Grudge over real or imagined grievance– Breakup of a relationship– Family conflictsFinancial or legal problems– Financial or legal problems

– Mental health issues

Behaviors of ConcernBehaviors of ConcernWorkplace violence  ✦Violence more likely to occur 

k lprevention program✦Assist in recognizing potential 

dangers

in workplaces:• Without policies• Without an employee screening process

• Defuse them before violence erupts

screening process• Without a proper training program

• With Managers who ignore behaviors of concern

• With Managers who terminate employees without due cause

Behaviors of ConcernBehaviors of ConcernViolence more likely to occur in workplaces hi hwhich: ✦Tolerate a toxic work environment✦F il t f l h t li i✦Fail to enforce sexual harassment policies or disciplinary procedures

✦Ignore employees’ complaints about a fellow employeeemployee

✦Subject employees to frequent change and uncertainty

✦Have inadequate security measures and procedures✦Have inadequate security measures and procedures ✦Fail to treat people with dignity, respect, kindness, and compassion

Behaviors of ConcernBehaviors of Concern

Employer actions to avert workplace violencep y p

✦Communicate program policy to employees

✦Provide recurring training in preventive measures

✦Support, not punish, victims of workplace violence pp , p , por domestic violence

✦Foster a climate of trust and respect

✦Seek advice and assistance from outside resources

Summary of Behavior ConcernsSummary of Behavior Concerns

Summary ✦Overlooked area where y✦Violence and threats of 

violence often result from frustration and a breakdown 

employee can make a difference:

• Listen to a “troubled” 

in communication

✦Effective communicators are 

employee– People want to be heard 

and understood– Simple act of listening can

non‐threatening, non‐judgmental, worthy of respect, and willing to listen

Simple act of listening can be a highly effective contribution to a safe work environment

Above Everything Else,,,Above Everything Else,,,

• Have a Plan !!Have a Plan !!– Not just at work, everywhere.Prepare mentally– Prepare mentally.

– Don’t be the victim.

Contact InformationContact Information

D Ch i h J C b llDet. Christopher J. Cybellccybell@menomonee‐falls.org

262.532.8733