By KATE PIERCE
Executive Editor
As the national conversation and action concerning gun violence continues, training is taking place at Saint Rose and in the community.
“Being prepared is a key component to having a safe outcome,” said Steve Stella, the director of campus security.
Among training sessions, the College is planning a live exercise to simulate an active shooter situation. Volunteer participants will play the roles of shooter and victims. Albany Police officers will respond to the situation, along with members of the local fire department.
“Our security officers receive annual training in many areas,” said Stella. “They will be participating in the drill, as will many members of the College community.”
The College’s emergency management team will be in other buildings on campus, and campus security will practice their role of keeping the community away from the situation.
“Unfortunately we need to do the practice,” said Dennis McDonald, vice president for student affairs.
The simulation is planned for Friday, April 27 in the Hearst Center for Communications and Interactive Media. The entire campus will go into a practice lockdown. The drill could last anywhere from 15 minutes to half an hour, depending on how it is handled by all departments.
“Outside of notifying the campus, we will be notifying the surrounding community,” said McDonald. “We really need to make sure the word is out.”
In preparation for the live simulation, “Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events” training was held on campus on Mar. 19 and 21. The session was presented by Sergeant Vince Thompson of the Albany Police Department, who serves with the neighborhood engagement unit, as well as the critical assessment team.
“We need to plan for the worst case scenario and best case solution,” said Thompson.
The best case solution involves being equipped with options for people to follow as they are faced with hostile or active shooter situations.
“Your safety is your personal responsibility,” said Thompson. “You do whatever you can by whatever means to survive.”
He explained that you have to actively work to save yourself in the time gap between when the event begins and when police respond.
The three steps to keep in mind are “Run – Hide – Fight.” Any combination of these actions are essential to protecting yourself and those around you.
Another way to think of these actions are “Avoid – Deny Access – Defend.” Thompson urged the audience at the training to not worry about specific words or order, but to make sure that they understand the importance of active action. You shouldn’t stay attached to any one aspect.
“You have to put distance between you and the bad stuff,” said Thompson.
Running is the action that you are ultimately striving for in these situations
“Hiding is just a temporary measure until you can run,” said Thompson. If you have to hide, there are some tips to do so as safely as possible.
According to Thompson, even if an attack has been planned out the shooter will have some tunnel vision as they are also under stress. This can be used to your advantage as you hide by choosing locations out of view from torso level.
Turning of the lights is not always a necessary step while hiding, Thompson said, as you should keep the room looking as natural as possible. If you are in a room with motion lights, however, he recommended make small continuous movement to keep the lights on. If you let them go off, the shooter could be alerted to your location as you move because the lights will turn back on.
For locations where you are hiding but have no option of running, you should position yourself so that you have some element of surprise in preparation for a fight.
“Getting shot in the hand is better than just letting it happen,” said Thompson, referencing that you can attempt to grab the gun away from the shooter.
He also said that everyone should know where fire extinguishers are in the building. Thompson explained that they can either be used as a weapon or used to spray and distract
“Is it going to solve everything? No,” said Thompson. “But it is a useful tool.”
An imperative step in staying in control is first managing the reaction you’ll have in response to the stress of the situation, according to Thompson. He recommended taking a deep breath and turning your head from side to side.
“Panic spreads panic,” said Thompson. “Likewise, calm spreads calm.”
As a part of the training, a recording of the 911 call that Patricia Nielson made during the Columbine High School massacre. Thompson pointed out that the panicked nature of the call was detrimental to the situation.
Another showing included a clip from “Zero Day,” a movie about two students who plan an attack on their high school. Many details from the Columbine massacre were incorporated into the movie.
Thompson did not tell the audience that the video clip, which resembled security footage, was a recreation before he played it.
“You can’t wait until you’re in this situation,” he said, as he described that the clip was a depiction and not actual footage from Columbine.
He also explained that police used to surround the building and wait for SWAT, which is not the protocol anymore because it wastes time and keeps people in danger.
“We don’t fault them, because that was the plan they had,” said Thompson. “We need a better plan.”
Being alert, thinking clearly, and acting decisively are all parts of the plan individuals should equip themselves with when facing any dangerous situation.
“Whether occurring in a workplace, academic setting, or public setting, there are strategies to enhance your protection and to reduce dangers that may be faced during one of these situations,” said Stella.
When police arrive at the scene there are measures that civilians can take to help facilitate the efficient handling of the situation.
Thompson instructed that you should follow all commands and show your palms without holding anything.
“This is where death is coming from,” Thompson said, and showed his hands to the audience.
“An officer in uniform giving instructions has the right of way everytime – no questions,”
Following a traumatic experience such as an encounter with an active shooter, it understood that there will be an effect mental health.
“Chaotic abnormal events cause a psychological response,” said Thompson. “Which is normal. The problem comes when you don’t get help.”
In terms of prevention of these situations, the sergeant recommended being aware surroundings and of the people you interact with.
“We have to see what’s going on,” said Thompson. ““The more ready you are, the more ready those around you will be.”
While he recognized that you can’t recognize a potential shooter by the way they look, Thompson said that certain behavior, like conversation that only ever concentrates on a single issue over an extended period of time, can be indicators.
The training session concluded with Thompson providing his contact email for any further questions, and Stella spoke to the audience in conclusion.
“This training is important,” Stella said to the students, faculty, and community members that attended the session. “It’s what’s going to make the difference between surviving the event or not.”
The value of training is upheld when public safety services “train like they respond” and “respond like they train,” according to Stella.
“I had a friend who was a police officer succumb to gun violence and his tragic death left a great void in many people’s lives,” said Stella. “The violence issues that our country is facing are complex and daunting, but not unsolvable.”
