Practice Makes Perfect

Do you know when the last time there was a mass casualty in a school as a result of a fire? 1958. No that is not a typo. Per the National Fire and Protection Association, the last time  there was a school fire resulting in the death of 10 or more students was at Our Lady of Angels School in Chicago, Illinois. Why do we think that is? With technology the way it has taken off, I highly doubt it is due to decreased electrical hazards. I firmly believe, that this is a direct effect of proper training and practice.
Fire drills are a part of your routine growing up in schools. You do them so much, it becomes second nature as soon as you hear an alarm what to do. If this is the case, why aren’t more school adopting these beliefs for active shooters? Drills that instruct students exactly where to go and what to do need to be implemented across America. We no longer have the luxury of saying school shootings are isolated incidents. This is the time to be proactive.
I was recently in an outstanding presentation run by the Chubb Insurance Global Security Team. They discussed what the “survival mindset” and how it relates to active shooter situations. Three key factors were discussed.

1. Awareness
2. Preparation
3. Rehearsal

If schools implement active shooter drills like they do for fire drills, they will in turn in adopting the survival mindset. Here is how it relates:

1. Awareness - School leaders become aware there is an issue that is putting their students at risk and they want to take a proactive approach
2. Preparation - They make room in their budget to develop a well thought out and informed crisis plan and risk assessment that addresses drills as well as access points in the school that are vulnerable
3. Rehearsal - Just like fire drills, active shooter drills are run so it becomes second nature in a students mind what to do and where to go should an active shooter enter the building.

Running active shooter drills and implementing a crisis plan can save the lives of students. There should be no hesitation to address the issue and plan accordingly.

Be proactive. #ExpelFear

Until next time,
Shane Camardo