Initial Responders

First Responders are good but they can’t do it all

FBI Lends a Hand

It was reported by USA Today that the FBI is going to deploy 200 agents across the nation to train local police departments in the latest tactics for responding to active shooters.  This ambitious effort is aiming to deliver training to some 30,000 police officers who may have to protect schools, businesses or other public places from these actors.  

Review and Study

The impetus of the training is in part due to the horrifying events at Newtown in 2012 but it is also the result of a 14 year study that indicated a definite uptick in the number of active shooter incidents across the United States.

More than target practice

The training is two days in length and has been developed in partnership with Texas State University. It includes tactical content as well as emergency medical response skills.  The overall desire is to get officers to run toward gunfire as quickly as possible and neutralize the threat.

Odds are against

While this effort is no doubt beneficial and someday may save lives, it must be understood that most shooting incidents end before law enforcement can intervene.  The FBI’s study revealed that the shooter either kills himself or is stopped by a bystander two-thirds of the time.

Life saving skill

This ratio was not lost on CSI when it was developing the Sensible Solutions school safety program. Included in the program is the concept of Initial Responder which is based on the premise that bystanders were likely going to bear the burden of effective action against a shooter.

Know your role

Dr. David Benke - Initial Responder
http://www.dailycamera.com/

In every institution where Sensible Solutions is deployed, the Initial Responder has a job.  That job may be to do nothing more than hide.  However, this is critical because it creates an orderly response to a chaotic event.  The program identifies other Initial Responders who have the capacity – mental and physical – to carry out jobs that not everyone can do.  Some may be tasked to intervene while others lead the herd to safety.  It all depends upon the individual and the inherent characteristics of the venue that defines the role of the Initial Responder.

Plan on stepping up

Fortunately, in the United States, we are blessed with top flight First Responders.  And programs like the one the FBI is rolling out will undoubtedly build upon their preparedness.  However, First Responders have limitations and one of those is the time they need to react.  The gap must be filled by those who are caught in the crossfire.  It would seem that given the percentages, bystander preparedness training must also be included in any security program.