Part 3
Introduction:
In today's world, ensuring the safety and well-being of employees has become a paramount concern for organizations. While workplace emergencies can take various forms, the threat of an active shooter situation poses a particularly alarming and devastating risk. It is crucial for companies to prioritize the implementation of safe shelters within office spaces to protect their employees during such incidents.
The following first-hand account vividly illustrates the urgent need for secure shelter options within workplaces and highlights the potential consequences of inadequate safety measures.
“This is starting from the end because I didn’t know I was in an active shooter situation until it was almost at the end.
I was on one of the four units located on the first floor. I was in the hallway when a transporter entered the unit asking if we had heard the announcement of a code used when there was an emergency. No one had heard anything because the overhead intercom wasn’t working (this was corrected after the incident). The unit secretary called the operator and was told to contact Security. She called Security and was told there was a man with a gun in the corridor down the hall from the unit. She came down the hall, looking for the charge nurse and asked those in the hallway to start closing the patient room's doors. I was asked to assist with blocking the outer doors. This was when I realized the unit doors were unlocked (also corrected) and opened out into the hallway. This meant there was no way to secure or block the unit doors. The charge nurse and I put tables and anything we could move into the hallway. The charge nurse and I were at the door when we saw policemen in the hallway outside the unit. She suggested we go into the clean utility room which had a large window but could be locked. About this time, one of the Security officers came to the unit to inform us the shooter had been caught and the “All-Clear” was being given.
I returned to my desk in the basement of the building where the doors were locked and secured…from the inside.”
-Nurse Dionne L.
In this 5-part Blog Series, Shellter analysts take apart the situation as it unfolds, providing unparalleled analysis and key takeaways that could save YOUR life.
To See Part 1 – Click Here
To see Part 2 – Click Here
Lets jump right in;
The Role of Quick Thinking and Improvised Solutions:
"The charge nurse and I put tables and anything we could move into the hallway."
Analysis
Despite the lack of a secure shelter, the charge nurse along with nurse Dionne L, took it upon themselves to improvise a temporary barrier using available resources. Their resourcefulness and quick thinking was admirable. However, it is essential to recognize that improvised solutions are no substitute for planned ones.
Action Items:
1. Provide training on improvised emergency measures: Offer training sessions to employees that highlight the importance of resourcefulness and quick thinking during emergency situations. Teach them practical skills such as creating barriers, using available objects as shields, or finding alternative safe areas for temporary protection.
2. Regularly review and update emergency procedures: Review and update emergency procedures to include guidelines for improvised measures. Regularly communicate these procedures to employees and provide opportunities for feedback and suggestions to enhance the effectiveness of improvised solutions.
3. Advocate for purpose-built safe shelters: Advocate for the implementation of purpose-built safe shelters within the office space. Collaborate with management, facilities teams, and security personnel to assess the feasibility and cost of creating dedicated safe areas that provide enhanced protection during emergencies. Highlight the limitations of improvised solutions and emphasize the importance of investing in secure shelter options.
Important Note from Master Chief Navy Seal and CEO of Shellter, Frank Bosia
“Executives need to consider that measures to create a safe work environment against the threat of active shooters need to be a part of a yearly budget. I always recommend the subscription model where companies outsource the security to the professionals on a subscription basis, allowing for the highest quality and lowest cost. ...Additionally, executives need to remind their stakeholders that the cost of prevention is always cheaper than the grim alternative.”
4. Learn from real-life incidents and success stories: Study real-life incidents where improvised measures were employed successfully. Share these stories with employees to inspire and educate them about the potential effectiveness of quick thinking and resourcefulness. Use these examples as learning opportunities to improve emergency preparedness and response.
Conclusion
While improvisation can be crucial in emergency situations, organizations must prioritize the development and availability of purpose-built safe shelters.
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