SIDNEY — The Active Shooter – Are You Prepared? “Be Proactive. Be Prepared” was the message of the seminar presented by the Sidney-Shelby County Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Shelby County Sheriff’s office, at the Days Inn’s Sidney Conference Center Wednesday morning.
Lt. Cori Steiner and Detective Chris Brown presented Surviving A Firefight Education (SAFE), which is a “skinny version” of the Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate (ALICE) national program that is typically a three to four hour class. Deputy Dave Spicer, who is also an instructor, was absent, but is the go-to person for ensuring tactical preparation.
It is the third year they have been presenting the 90-minute class, which is given at various locations. Wednesday morning’s seminar began with a realistic, reenactment video of a variety of potentially violent scenarios. Instructors led approximately 60 people through step-by-step pre-plan options for surviving the “unthinkable.”
“Our whole world changed after 9/11,” said Sheriff John Lenhart. “Our mission is to protect you, your customers and your businesses.”
Sidney-Shelby County Chamber of Commerce President Jeff Raible said there were “18 workplace shootings in the United States in the last five years, averaging a little more than three a year,” so when considering what kind of issues may “cause business leaders may lay awake at night” they thought this seminar may help prepare for this type of workplace violence.
Through his years of police work, Lenhart said he learned if you harden the target, the perpetrator will go somewhere else. He said he would like to see an increase in Concealed Carry Permit (CCW) holders to potentially help protect until police can arrive, which “could take 3 to 15 or 20 minutes.”
“Every seven seconds after an active shooter’s first shot is fired, someone dies or is wounded. Instant response is very, very important. Traditionally, those persons who are challenged, will kill themselves or give up; 99 percent of the time. But whether it is in the school setting or business setting, we need to be prepared,” said Lenhart.
Brown said, “most incidents occur at locations in which the killers find little impediment in pressing their attack” and that “action always beats reaction.”
The program evolved as Lenhart realized that they cannot wait for the state of Ohio, the Federal Government or “even psychologists to figure out why people hurt other people” to take action and into their own hands in becoming prepared.
The main goal is to “GET OUT” as soon as possible, but one may need to barricade, or even defend them self as options run out. The main points in achieving these goals taught are:
• Always be aware, alert and mentally prepared for a “what if” type of scenario.
• Use plain language, not codes, when explaining what is happening to everyone; name the shooter, if known.
• Find all potential exits (other than main “choke points” of entrance), weapons and items for barricade use.
• Consider cover versus conceal options. Wisely choose objects to provide bulletproof cover and/or concealment.
• Evacuate as soon as possible. Look for alternative exits such as service and maintenance entrances, including windows.
• Secure your location when escape in not an option. Lockdown by turning out lights, lock and tieing down doors in anyway possible and block entrances with anything available to barricade doors. Throw items in hallway passages to deter shooter’s direction.
• Help others when safe to do so. Utilize first aid kits/trauma kits.
• Counter/Swarm/Fight. When necessary, employ any type of weapon, from a mop to a fire distinguish to stop the shooter. Make sure the shooter does not get up by any means.
• Contact with law enforcement should be cautious. Remember their main goal is to stop the threat first. Keep your hands in plain sight and do not make any aggressive moments.
• Rehearse. Mentally and physically practice. This will help you act quickly and effectively.
Steiner stressed the importance of making sure the “shooter is down so they don’t get back up,” because you will not be able to talk down a committed shooter. They also strongly suggested upgrading first aid kits to trauma kits, including more gauze and a tourniquet. She also said that they would be more than happy to come do other presentations in the future, stand by and aid when there is a potentially volatile situation with an employee being released, or evaluate a business to help make it tactically sound.
Donald Hook, treasurer of the Sidney-Shelby County Senior Center said that he “took a lot of valuable information from the seminar and may try to get them to come to the Senior Center to present this information.”
“There is nothing more important that law enforcement should do than protect the 10,000 kids that live in our county and in the schools, and the rest of our industrial base; whether you are at Walmart or a movie or whatever,”said Lenhart.
For more information or to set up a program for your business of organization, contact Officer Mike McRill at 937-498-8922 or at [email protected].
