What is an active shooter?

The Department of Homeland Security defines an active shooter as an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area. In most cases, active shooters use firearms and there is no pattern or method to their selection of victims. Active shooter situations are unpredictable and evolve quickly. The assailant becomes a mass shooter once the number of injured and/or dead reaches four (4), excluding the shooter. The statistics can fluctuate because some institutions and databases do not consider shootings that include gang-related killings or killings that involve the death of multiple family members to be mass shootings.

What is workplace violence?

Workplace violence is an act of aggression, physical assault, or threatening behavior that occurs in a work setting and causes physical or emotional harm to customers, coworkers, or managers. Workplace violence includes harassment, intimidation, threats, extortion, stalking and physical violence. Internal or external situations can result in workplace violence.

How do you survive an active shooter?

The 1999 shooting at Columbine High School and similar incidents caused a shift in law enforcement training and tactics. Instead of being taught to wait for a SWAT team to arrive, officers receive training on how to take immediate action during incidents that clearly involve the suspects use of deadly force. Business owners and their employees should also be prepared by creating an active shooter emergency operations plan.

Protection and safety must be the priority in any active shooter situation. Training focuses on RUN. HIDE. FIGHT. Taking time to learn about safety fundamentals could save your life.

You are not alone.

The McPherson Police Department will respond to an active shooter situation quickly and efficiently. Their first priority will be to stop the threat. Those remaining in the workplace need to remain calm and administer steps related to the site's active shooter emergency operations plan. 

Need a plan? Contact the McPherson Police Department to schedule your free on-site training and facility assessment.