How Active Shooter Events Impact Continuity of Operations

How Active Shooter Events Impact Continuity of Operations Presented by Andrew Cleaves Regional Continuity Manager DHS FEMA Region X 1

Scope and Purpose § The purpose of this webinar is to identify the possible implications of an Active Shooter Event on Continuity of Operations. § There a multitude of sources for information on emergency response to Active Shooters available through various Federal, State, and local agencies. § The scope of this webinar is to address some of the continuity impacts and considerations such as: • essential function sustainment • facility issues • human resources challenges • integrated planning considerations 2

In Perspective 281 Number of Active Shooter incidents from 1966 to 2010 (237 in the U. S. ) *Figures courtesy of DHS/NPPD Average number of deaths: 3 While the average number of wounded is 3. 6 Gender School-29% Open Commercial-23% Office Building-13% Factory/Warehouse-13% Other-22% 4% Male Shooter Female Shooter 96% Since the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut, in December of 2012, there have 70% …of workplaces do not have a formal program or policy to address workplace violence* *According to a survey of U. S. business by the Bureau of Labor been more than 12 major mass shootings. 3

Current Spectrum of Active Shooter Concerns *Image Courtesy of FEMA Full-Spectrum Risk Knowledgebase 4

What’s Missing =Continuity Areas of Interest *Image Courtesy of FEMA Full-Spectrum Risk Knowledgebase 5

Common Discussion 6

Continuity Challenges § Facility Issues: • May not have access to building for days, if not weeks. § Telework Issues: • If personnel are required to use their laptops to VPN in, what happens if they don’t have them? § Personnel Issues: • Even with minimal loss of life, the psychological impacts can cause significant absenteeism. • Consider addressing Mental Health needs of staff and providing a list available short and long term support resources in nearby communities. 7

Continuity Challenges (cont. ) § Devolution Issues: • In the case of functions that cannot be interrupted (such as operations centers), does your devolution counterpart know when to assume their support role in an Active Shooter event? § Recovery Time Objectives: • Twelve hours may seem like long enough, but what happens if a lockdown last for 8 -10 hours? § Relocation Issues: • Do continuity relocation plans conflict with emergency management/public safety plans or needs to keep everyone on-site? 8

Closing Thoughts § Life Safety is the number one objective when planning for Active Shooter events. § As continuity professionals, it is in the interest of the organization for us to also look past the lights and sirens and focus on the mission. § Active Shooter events are high stress situations…considering continuity options afterwards can be extremely challenging. § Proper planning, and coordination of those plans with emergency management and public safety groups within the organization can greatly improve your organization’s overall resiliency. 9

QUESTIONS? Andrew Cleaves Regional Continuity Manager U. S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency Region X Email: andrew. cleaves@fema. dhs. gov 10