FORT DRUM, N.Y. (March 17, 2016) -- Preparedness. It can mean the difference between reacting quickly and appropriately in an emergency, and wasting valuable time, potentially resulting in the loss of lives.
In an effort to ensure that staff at Army and Air Force Exchange Service's Main Exchange on Fort Drum were prepared for one such emergency, the organization worked with personnel from the Directorate of Emergency Services and the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security to conduct an active-shooter training exercise March 9.
Rich Hughes, Fort Drum DES deputy chief of police, said that the size of the facility, paired with the fact that there is usually a large number of employees and customers in the store, made it especially important to practice in this particular location.
"This is one of the most heavily populated buildings on Fort Drum at any given time," he said. "It's not that we think it would ever happen here, but we want to be sure that everyone is trained and prepared for anything, especially considering the (number) of people that may be here at any given time."
Col. Bryan Laske, Fort Drum garrison commander, encouraged each individual participating in the exercise to take it seriously and to be sure to stay vigilant every day -- not just during the training.
"We have to learn and take lessons away from this and -- God forbid it ever happens -- have these lessons with you," he said. "The expectation is not perfect performance today -- it's to gain understanding and to become a little more comfortable with (reacting to) a very complex and ambiguous situation."
Jackie Bellis, store manager, said that she felt the exercise was important to ensure her staff members were well-trained for such a situation.
"We had an opportunity to train in a close to real emergency situation, and we jumped on it," she said.
Before the exercise, staff members attended a two-hour training session that focused on concepts such as reporting suspicious activity and workplace violence incidents, as well as assessing the situation to determine whether they should run, hide or fight.
As store staff members conducted tasks that they might be involved in during their normal workday, the scenario began. A single shooter entered the store, looking for his girlfriend. He walked through the facility shouting at "customers" (portrayed by actors) and firing "sim-unition" rounds. As the man made his way through the store, a simulated shopper shouted "there's a shooter in the building."
Hearing this warning, employees used the lessons they had learned during training, calling emergency services to report gunshot-like noises throughout the store. Hughes emphasized how important it was for individuals to warn others as they evacuated the facility.
"It's a gigantic store," he said. "You're probably not going to hear the gun unless you're in the vicinity of it. If you are, you've got to let people know."
As the shooter continued through the store, each staff member was able to exit the building or hide in a secure location.
The shooter reached the administrative offices at the back of the building just as police entered the store. Hughes said that this was a chance for AAFES employees to demonstrate what they had learned about cooperating with emergency responders.
Often, Hughes said, police officers might not have information regarding what the subject looks like, and it's important for employees to give any information they can, but they should never attempt to get up or approach the officers.
"Specifically, personnel need to remain calm, keep their hands empty and visible, obey police instructions and avoid sudden movements," he said.
Hughes said that all entities involved were pleased with the way the exercise was carried out and with the way that the AAFES employees used their training -- specifically the way that they were reactive and quick to seek out a safe location away from the shooter.
"There are things they can do to protect themselves if they remember their training, act with urgency, and take the appropriate actions," he said. "The staff did great and put into action the concepts we provided them."
Bellis said that she feels her staff members are far more prepared to handle an active shooter situation.
"I know it was an eye-opening experience for all who participated," she said. "I definitely believe the associates who participated will be in a much better situation (if) faced with a real-life situation."
At the conclusion of the exercise, Hughes left participants with some advice.
"Hopefully this was a good scenario for you guys," he said. "Remember, you've got to practice physical security all the time -- not just during an exercise like this."
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