ALICE’ Training Could Be a Lifesaver

“Definitely a sign of the times,” was the common refrain among attendees at the 7th annual Mid-States Propane Expo upon learning that one of the educational sessions on the agenda dealt with “Active Shooter Awareness.” Hosted in Branson, Mo., by the Missouri Propane Gas Association and the Propane Marketers Association of Kansas, the Expo drew record-setting attendance with propane marketers from Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Iowa, and other states.

Branson Police Department Officer B.J. Russell engaged the standing-room-only audience in an interactive presentation that emphasized the five major components of survival in an active shooter or workplace violence situation as identified by the ALICE Training Institute. Officer Russell, a certified ALICE training instructor, teaches these leading civilian response techniques now offered nationwide to a variety of businesses and organizations including law enforcement, K-12 schools, higher education, healthcare, government, businesses, houses of worship, and many others.

Russell pointed out that the human body has three reactions to high-stress situations: (1) fight, (2) flight, or (3) freeze. ALICE training teaches individuals to use two of these reactions and to eliminate the third — freeze, because, as Russell stated bluntly, “when you freeze you are more likely to die.”

According to a 2012 New York Police Department “Active Shooter Recommendation and Analysis for Risk Mitigation,” 76% of incidents take place at a business location. Russell noted that many businesses and organizations are taking proactive steps to plan ahead and ensure employees are properly trained to more effectively handle the threat of an aggressive intruder or an active shooter event. Whether the attack comes from an angry customer, a disgruntled employee, or an organized group intent on violence, ALICE training differs from the traditional “lockdown only” training and focuses on five key approaches employees should use when confronted with workplace violence. Numerous training programs are taught across the nation based on principles similar to those of the ALICE program, including, “Run. Fight. Hide.”

Studies show employers who have implemented effective safety measures and prevention plans increase survival statistics in an active shooter or workplace violence incident. ALICE training instructs employees how to properly react to workplace violence and establishes a business-wide emergency response plan that can improve human safety, as well as protect your business from potential lawsuits, OSHA citations, and other undesirable situations.

Police departments, government officials, school districts, businesses, healthcare organizations, non-profits, first responders, and numerous other organizations have received nationally recognized ALICE training.

Russell led the group in a lively one-hour discussion that examined what the ALICE acronym stands for and what participants should understand about each of the five components:

(1) Alert, (2) Lockdown, (3) Inform, (4) Counter, and (5) Evacuate. To keep the audience’s attention, Russell peppered his presentation with examples from news headlines and engaged the group in situational role-play to help them experience how to handle an active shooter or workplace violence scenario.

ALERT

The first component of ALICE training is being alert. According to Russell, individuals who have undergone ALICE training will be more aware of what to look for and better prepared to survive a violent intruder or active shooter incident.

LOCKDOWN

If possible, Officer Russell advised attendees to lockdown, but be looking for other ways to escape. No longer is it the accepted norm to shelter in place. When it’s a matter of preservation of life, Russell noted that it is imperative to change from passive to proactive response strategies in order to be adequately prepared in a workplace violence or active shooter event. Russell suggested, if possible, to barricade the door, because locks can easily be broken, and then break a window to evacuate. He also described the proper way to break a window, noting it is better to break a window by hitting it in a top corner rather than in the middle.

INFORM

He stressed that it’s crucial to survival to use plain language when alerting employees of an active situation. Russell emphasized to NOT use code words. Communicate the situation to staff by stating plainly what is happening. If it is an active shooter situation, say it clearly. Employees who already may be rattled can become more confused trying to remember what a code word means. The goal is to increase the chance of survival. Having a plan and employees who are prepared is critical.

COUNTER

Russell told the audience that the average police response time to an emergency call is 5 to 6 minutes. For this reason, distraction is an important strategy in the “counter” portion of the ALICE training approach. Anything that helps throw off an attacker’s senses, or throws him or her off target, greatly helps to reduce fatality rates. Doing something — anything — Officer Russell noted, is better than nothing. Distraction can include just about anything, including throwing a piece of paper, a trash can, chair, or office supplies, blinding him or her with a flashlight that has a strobelight feature, were all examples of how to confuse an attacker. Panic alarms were also mentioned, but Russell noted these were typically not as effective as other forms of distraction. Swarming, or jumping on the shooter, was also mentioned as a form of distraction. Russell highly encouraged attendees to conduct practice scenarios with staff.

EVACUATE

Evacuation was stressed as a key priority among ALICE training strategies. “It is better to find a way out and be missing than dead,” said Russell. Leave your purse and belongings behind. Run in a zigzag line. “The goal of the police is to get the shooter, so evacuate as soon as possible and allow police to find you alive later.”

Additional proactive measures were discussed regarding how to help protect employees. One suggestion was the installation of video cameras that could be accessed remotely via cell phone. Making details and descriptions of the event available on video can greatly assist police, whether in real-time during the event or after.

Another suggestion was to provide your building blueprints to area law enforcement officials ahead of time should they ever be needed.

It is also important that businesses are aware of OSHA’s General Duty Clause that states all employers have a duty to provide their employees with a workplace free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm according to the agency. Recent court rulings throughout the country have allowed negligence suits filed by victims of active shooters to proceed against employers for failing to provide defensive training to their employees. In other words, companies have a responsibility to provide training on how to react if confronted by a violent intruder.

Today, a safe work environment includes having an established emergency response plan in place so employees are trained to react properly should a violent or active shooter situation occur in the workplace.

Russell emphasized that it is critical for businesses to plan ahead and practice workplace scenarios with employees. He advised seminar attendees that the components of the ALICE training do not always happen in order and could be used as needed. With each situation being unique, Russell’s advice was to remain calm, use common sense, and do what your body tells you to do. But, do something! The key is not to panic or freeze, but to be as prepared as possible.

The ALICE Training Institute customizes training based on the circumstances and operational needs of each business or organization. Training is available on-site as well as online.

Workplace violence can impact your company on many levels, including the emotional toll on your employees, property damage and loss of productivity, negative impact on business reputation, as well as monetarily in terms of litigation fees, fines, and more.

“I cannot underscore enough the importance of having a violence-prevention program in place,” said Officer Russell. “Put a plan in place and train your employees so they are prepared to properly respond should there be a crisis.” ALICE training is one solution to provide employees the safest work environment possible.

Yes, unfortunately, active shooter and workplace violence training is a reflection of the times, but is important training that could save lives.

—Andrea Young