It seems gone are the days of fire drills, lockdowns, and security systems as “worst case scenario” preparation.
Due to the large increase of mass shootings at colleges and universities around the world, school administration is now having to tackle an entirely new cause for concern.
University of Texas., Virginia Tech, Sandy Hook, and Columbine. So many innocent lives taken unexpectedly. These shootings have ushered schools into a new normal. Safety measures and precautions are now being taken early to circumvent any other premature deaths.
According to reports on CNN, “Two-thirds of schools in the US conduct active-shooter exercises and nearly all of them have a plan if a shooter comes into the school.”
How to Respond
In recent years, schools like St. Edwards University have hosted Active Shooter Preparedness Training. These trainings are normally hosted by the local police department to inform others on how to react and respond from a police perspective.
There are 3 stages of how a person will respond when dealing with an Active Shooter.
- Denial—it is natural to assume that the current situation could not actually be happening.
- Deliberation—deciding on what you should do.
- Make a Plan—after deciding what you will do, you go through with that plan.
Sergeant Bobby Garcia, with the University Police Department, says, “Having a herd mentality can help or hurt you. If others are doing nothing, you’re more likely to do nothing. Likewise, if others are acting, you’re more likely to act”. He said instead of freezing in fear at the situation, to get angry which will motivate you to action.
Have a Plan
With the help of police trainings, schools are beginning to crackdown on these shootings and stopping them before they start. In a recent attempt to break into a California elementary school, the quick action of the school saved “countless lives and children.”
There is no official “profile” on an active shooter. “Only about 26 percent of active shooter events occur in schools”, said Sgt. Garcia. Instead, work from a “see something, say something” mentality. Training teachers is the first step. There are multiple resources and trainings you can find to share with your professors and fellow administrators here.