Lessons of Sandy Hook Elementary School

Transcription

1 Lessons of Sandy Hook Elementary School

2 School Violence is not a new Phenomena July 7, 1764 first recorded incidence of school shooting/violence 11 people injured or killed when 4 Lenape American Indians entered a schoolhouse and began killing.

3 Bath Consolidated Schoolhouse May 18, 1927 Bath Township Michigan Andrew Kehoe planted explosives which killed 43 victims including 38 school children.

4 Frontier Middle School February 2, 1996 Moses Lake Washington Barry Loukaitis dressed as a wild west gunfighter and shot 3 students and teacher. Two of Loukaitis friends were charged with conspiracy.

5 Pearl High School October 1, 1997 Pearl Mississippi Luke Woodham shot and killed two female students and injured seven other students.

6 Columbine High School April 20, 1999 Littleton Colorado Dylan Klebold, 18, and Eric Harris, 17, killed 12 fellow students and a teacher and wounded another 23 people.

7 IT CAN HAPPEN ANYWHERE From large cities such as New Orleans to small towns such as Newtown school violence can and does happen.

8 Law Enforcement and Education post Columbine SRO programs became more popular Threat of a internal student attacker became the focus Active Shooter responses and protocols became more common place

9 What Sandy Hook Elementary School Taught Us Active shooter response has changed External school security issues must be addressed Preplanning for large scale incidents is critical Self-deployment of mutual aid is critical Importance of the Incident Command System Post Traumatic Stress Acute Stress Disorder Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

10 Active Shooter Response Training Personnel Equipment

11 Active Shooter Response Training Same training throughout Connecticut (NPD) Twice Yearly Training (Range/Simunitions) Familiarity with tactics Familiarity with weapons Familiarity with fellow officers Created a level of comfort and security to responding officers

12 Active Shooter Response Training Tactical training for all officers Breach Initial breach into the south east SHES Secured safety doors with inner wire» First officers on scene had no way of breaching Patrol officer recently sent to SWAT training breached safety glass with specialized technique utilizing M4 muzzle and circular motion to clear wire.

13 Active Shooter Response Mixed response teams Training Initial contact team made of Law Enforcement only Secondary teams Formerly rescue team) mixed response team Previously trained and volunteer EMS/FD Paramedics when possible EMT level FD for transport of injured personnel

14 Larger teams Active Shooter Response Training Drop off extra officers at hallway junctures to control hallways once cleared Active shooter training on school grounds with school staff Newtown Board of Education created ERT teams Emergency Response Teams made up of teachers and staff intensively trained in emergency response protocols Training should be joint with all likely responding agencies in likely roles

15 Active Shooter Response Personnel K9 Officers Send in with contact teams Put dog on long lead with muzzle EMS/Fire Personnel Cross training with PD in tactical active shooter situations No time for SWAT No time for tactically trained paramedics

16 K9 Officers Active Shooter Response EMS/Fire Personnel Personnel Cross training with PD in tactical active shooter situations Trained to stabilize critically wounded on scene Utilized to remove stabilized critical and non-critical injured Only allowed in swept areas with PD escorts

17 Active Shooter Response Equipment M4 in vehicles Active Shooter Bag Large Point Marker Used to mark doors of searched rooms Extra Ammunition Not used in this incident, but limited ammunition concerned responders

18 Active Shooter Response Equipment M4 in vehicles Active Shooter Bag Medical Supplies Quickclot Tourniquets Trauma dressings

19 Active Shooter Response Protocols Protocols should address: Command and control Of initial responders Additional resources Actions when active shooting stops Search for shooter and/or additional shooters Evacuation and treatment of wounded Evacuation protocols Shelter in place Evade and escape

20 What Sandy Hook Elementary School Taught Us Active Shooter Response Pre-planning School Emergency Procedures Media/Press Conference Locations Mobile Command Center

21 Emergency Operation Plans for Schools Ingress and Egress Securing points of entry Evacuation routes Backup routes of evacuation and rally points Sheltering in place vs. evacuation Threat dependent Access controls Providing 1 st responders with methods of entry Master keys Pass Key

22 Emergency Operation Plans for Schools Establish a check-in/release of student protocol Attendance upon arrival at designated safe area Periodic attendance during evacuation Release of students to authorized guardians, only after completion of pre-planned release procedures

23 Pre-planning Media Collection/Press Conference Location Several pre-selected sites throughout each jurisdiction Ample parking Easy access Distance from potential crime/disaster sites SHES Treadwell Park

24 Pre-planning Mobile Command Center Spare radios Paper Laptop Computer Maps (building plans) of all schools/public buildings, road maps, Public Works/Public Safety overlays (or GIS program for laptop) Copies of Emergency Response Plans for all buildings/companies that have filed them with police and/or fire Request copies of ERP from all large businesses

25 What Sandy Hook Elementary School Taught Us Active Shooter Response Pre-planning Self Deployment of Resources

26 Self Deployment - Key to incident outcome Dispatchers (Primary source of contact between agencies) Numerous calls (911) (Media)(parents)(officers) Numerous radio messages (PD) (EMS) (FIRE) Numerous agencies Administration (Initiators of request for mutual aid) All directly involved in incident

27 Building Relationships Hurliman has spent his 35-year police career with the Shelton Police Department and has been the chief since While he has never experienced an incident as devastating as the shooting in Newtown (few have), the situation did reinforce for him the importance of networking and connecting with neighboring agencies. It s important for agencies of all sizes to build strong relationships with local departments long before they need them. When a situation like this happens, you need to call on people you know, he said.

28 What Sandy Hook Elementary School Taught Us Active Shooter Response Pre-planning Self Deployment of Resources Importance of the Incident Command System

29 Incident Command System As a system, ICS is extremely useful; not only does it provide an organizational structure for incident management but it also guides the process for planning, building and adapting that structure. Using ICS for every incident or planned event helps hone and maintain skills needed for the large-scale incidents.

30 Incident Command System The Incident Command System (ICS) is a standardized, on-scene, all-hazards incident management approach that: Allows for the integration of facilities, equipment, personnel, procedures and communications operating within a common organizational structure. Enables a coordinated response. Establishes common processes for planning and managing resources.

31 What Sandy Hook Elementary School Taught Us Active Shooter Response Pre-planning Self Deployment of Resources Importance of the Incident Command System Post Traumatic Stress Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

32 Acute Stress/Post Traumatic Stress Disorder During and after a large scale event EAP is not enough Most EAP employ counselors Mass casualty and/or deadly force incidents require qualified mental health professionals Intervention should be: Early Often Supervisors monitor subordinates Managers monitor supervisors Health care professionals and/or peers monitor executives

33 What Sandy Hook Elementary School Taught Us Active Shooter Response Pre-planning Self Deployment of Resources Importance of the Incident Command System Post Traumatic Stress Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Slow return to the new normal

34 Recovery and Return to the new Recovery Normal Variable depending upon the individual and/or organization Slow Requires assistance Continual reminders (dates, memorials, gifts, pictures, plaques, etc.) Can retrigger incident Can help for some Can harm others

35 Recovery and Return to the new Normal High profile incidents create Change in community Change in the organization Change in individuals

36 THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION QUESTIONS?