As we step into 2025, many of us are setting resolutions to improve our health, relationships, and personal growth. This year, consider adding a crucial goal to your list: active threat preparedness. Just as you buckle your seatbelt, apply sunscreen, and lock your doors at night, being prepared for potential threats is a practical step toward ensuring your safety and the well-being of those around you.
Understanding the Reality
While it's uncomfortable to think about, the reality is that active shooter incidents have become more prevalent in various settings. According to the FBI Active Shooter Incidents report, active shooter incidents are affecting diverse locations beyond schools, including workplaces, healthcare facilities, places of worship, and public gatherings/open spaces.
Proactive Steps to Enhance Your Safety
To empower yourself and reduce the risk of becoming a statistic, consider the following steps:
1. Stay Informed and Aware
Statistic:Â The Department of Homeland Security shares that many active shooter situations are often over within 10 to 15 minutes, which could be before law enforcement arrives. During an Active Shooter incident, you need to operate as your own first responder.
Preparation:Â Familiarize yourself with the "Run, Hide, Fight" protocol. In an active shooter situation:
Run:Â If there's an accessible escape path, evacuate immediately. Leave your belongings behind and don't forget to consider non-traditional exits such as loading docks, windows, or emergency exit doors.
Hide:Â If evacuation isn't possible, find a secure place to hide where the shooter is less likely to find you and practice "active hiding". Barricade your hiding spot and formulate a plan should the shooter breach your location.
Fight:Â As a last resort, and only when your life is in imminent danger, attempt to incapacitate the shooter. During your "active hiding" look for items that could be used as weapons and form a plan of attack. Prepare to fight as if your life depends on it because it does.
2. Participate in Training Programs
Statistic:Â Individuals who have undergone active shooter response training are better equipped to act decisively during an incident.
Preparation:Â Enroll in active threat preparedness and survival training programs, such as those offered by P3 Training Group, to build confidence and readiness.
3. Advocate for Preparedness in Your Community
Statistic:Â Communities that engage in regular emergency preparedness training experience more coordinated and effective responses during actual incidents.
Preparation:Â Encourage your workplace, school, or community organizations to implement regular active shooter training and establish clear emergency response plans.
4. Maintain Situational Awareness
Statistic:Â Many active shooter incidents occur in locations where victims felt safe and were unprepared for such events.
Preparation:Â Always be aware of your environment. Identify two nearest exits in any facility you visit and have a plan in mind for emergencies.
5. Support Mental Health Initiatives
Statistic:Â Addressing mental health concerns can play a role in preventing potential threats. After action reports show that many active shooters were navigating mental health complexities and had exhibited pre-incident indicators which were not acted upon.
Preparation:Â Advocate for and support mental health resources in your community to help identify and assist individuals who may be in crisis. Adhere to a see-something, say-something mindset and encourage those around you to as well.
Conclusion
Incorporating active threat preparedness into your 2025 resolutions is not about living in fear; it's about empowering yourself with the knowledge and skills to protect yourself and others. Just as we take daily precautions to safeguard our health and safety, being prepared for potential threats should become a natural and essential part of our routines. At P3 Training Group, we're here to support you in this journey toward a safer and more secure future.
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