Tragic shooting proves need for preparation

By Mr Patrick Buffett (IMCOM)August 18, 2011

Preparing for the worst
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT LEE, Va. (Aug. 18, 2011) -- At approximately 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 5, 2009, a U.S. Soldier, dressed in Army uniform, entered the Soldier Readiness Center at Fort Hood, Texas, armed with two non-military issue pistols, including a semi-automatic.

There were 400 people inside the center, and it was familiar territory for the shooter who worked there. He opened fire and, in the span of 10 minutes, 43 individuals were either dead or seriously wounded. The shooting rampage ended when the gunman was shot five times by a military policeman.

The horror of this incident was witnessed by most of America as national news networks aired minute-by-minute coverage of the tragedy. On U.S. military installations across the country, emotions ran the gamut from shock and sadness to anger and denial that any such incident could ever happen again ... after all, a military base is supposed to be a place of safety and tight security, right?

"Unfortunately, it's a reality we all have to face, and it existed long before the Fort Hood shooting," said Ken Towery, garrison antiterrorism officer for Fort Lee. His office is honchoing the installation publicity campaign for Antiterrorism Awareness Month, an observance that stresses the importance of reporting suspicious incidents and establishing effective crisis response plans that could save lives during attacks like the one in 2009.

"Could an active shooter situation occur here? I think we all know the answer to that question, and anyone who thinks it would never happen is being naïve," Towery said. "So the necessity of good planning, training and rehearsals is obvious; it's the key to limiting injury and death during an active shooter scenario."

Police Lt. Dan Bateman, the commander of the Police Emergency Response Team at Fort Lee, and a group of his specially trained officers offered a similar perspective as they discussed the Fort Hood shooting and the procedures they would use to quell incidents of that nature.

"Overall, we need to look at the big picture - we have Soldiers walking around every day with weapons and just about anyone can gain access to the installation with the appropriate identification. That makes us a soft target in many respects," said Department of the Army Civilian Police Sgt. Ron Sims. "So, the best safeguard is immediate reporting if any community member sees something suspicious or suspects a friend, coworker or family member is having trouble. Don't allow it to escalate into something serious because you're too busy to report it or want to protect someone."

Taking emergency response and shelter-in-place training seriously is important as well, Bateman noted. An analysis of the Fort Hood shooting reveals the speed at which an active-shooter situation develops and drives home the point that a quick-thinking, well-rehearsed response is imperative.

"The initial attack at Fort Hood lasted less than 10 minutes," Bateman said. "That's not unusual considering most shooters want to inflict as much damage as possible in the shortest amount of time. So the response has to be immediate, almost instinctive. That's harder to accomplish if you haven't thought about it in advance."

An effective active-shooter response plan includes evacuation, shelter-in-place and reporting considerations, the officers noted. If you have an escape route, use it. Leave your belongings behind and help others get out if possible. Avoid sudden gestures and keep your hands visible at all times so it's clear to police that you don't pose any sort of threat. Once you're safely away from the danger, call 9-1-1 if the police have not already responded.

"We need as many details as you can remember - height, hair color, type of clothing, location and so on," noted DACP Officer Michael Wheeler of the PERT. "After that, the key is to remain calm and remember that help is on the way. If you panic, it increases your chances of making a mistake and possibly becoming a target of the shooter."

If you can't evacuate from the area, the next best option is to hide in a place where the shooter is not likely to find you (a.k.a. "shelter in place"). The location should be a room with lockable doors and windows. Access points also can be blocked with desks, file cabinets and other furniture. Turn off lights, close the blinds, silence cell phones and radios, and get out of sight. Do not respond to any voice commands unless you are absolutely certain it is someone who can assist you.

"As long as you're safe, stay there," said Sims. "Our primary objective is the shooter; we have to neutralize the threat before any further harm is done. Usually, that also means we're walking past victims without stopping to assist them, so anyone who can safely render first aid during these situations should certainly do so."

The unpredictability of an active shooter situation is also a reality victims and PERT members must face, according to DACP Officer Larry Mawhinney. Does the assailant plan to kill everyone in sight or select individuals who caused the pain that motivated the attack? Is the shooter suicidal? The variables are many and the aggressive act is usually considered a last resort to mitigate an overwhelming hardship.

"Which brings us back to the reporting aspect," Mawhinney said. "Somewhere along the way, that individual probably said or did something that indicated a problem. And we have to consider today's operational environment in which behavioral health issues are increasing and family troubles may be greater because of separation or the economy. We need to keep educating ourselves on these issues and not be afraid to speak up when someone is struggling and exhibits irrational or potentially dangerous behavior."