September 15th, 2017
Aaron Washington, retired Mass State Trooper, Special Tactical Operations presented “Workplace Violence and Response to an Active Shooter.

Aaron’s advice starts with RUN, HIDE, FIGHT

RUN – Get to a designated secure area quickly, and remove yourself and others from the threat area.
HIDE – Once secure, lock and barricade the area from threats. Contact 911 with location and situation specifics.
FIGHT – Have a plan if the threat enters your secure area. You may have to fight off the threat; be prepared to do so.

He then showed this short YouTube video and suggested that everyone share it with their co-workers, friends and family. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4IJA5Zpzz4

Aaron suggested that every business have an Emergency Action Plan. This should be very simple because complicated instructions are quickly forgotten in an emergency. He says:

  • Plan must be able to react to rapidly evolving events.
  • Staff & Employees must understand that the plan cannot address every eventuality.
  • Staff & Employees may have to make their own decisions about their safety and their own course of action. (Shelter in Place vs. Evacuation)

These are the priorities for any plan:

  • IDENTIFY THREAT
  • COMMUNICATE to the WORK PLACE
  • RAPID PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
  • CONTINGENCY PLANNING
  • AFTER-EVENT RESPONSE

Each office must make its own plan due to individual circumstances. It should be clearly written, distributed to every team member and reviewed at least annually.

Aaron and his team offers an individualized program that includes a site survey, identifying safe rooms, evacuation routes and hazards as well as exercises and training for employees. He is available at 508-561-6487 for more information.