An active shooter plan is good to have in any situation, as it is better to prepare for the worst. Unfortunately, mass shootings are the new normal in the United States. Public gathering spaces, workplaces, and even schools face the risk of violence. As an insurance agent and business owner, the onus is on you to protect employees and customers by implementing an active shooter plan. Vigilance and preparedness can help you respond to and even prevent this danger at your agency.

Provide Annual Active Shooter Safety Training

There should be an active shooter training session in place. During an emergency, individuals may fall back on fear responses, putting themselves and others in danger. Learning to deal with a volatile situation helps employees remain calm and prioritize their safety.

Active shooter safety resources recommend individuals follow these steps in the event of a shooting. 

1. Run: Get away from the source of the violence, including leaving the building if possible.
2. Hide: If you can’t exit the building or otherwise remove yourself from the situation, hide in a room with a lock and without a line of sight.
3. Fight: If there is no way to run or hide, take down the shooter, preferably with help from others.

Some organizations offer drills so staff can practice the above tactics. However, it is best to research whether the training is helpful. If you go in this direction, ensure the organization provides trauma-informed active shooter training to avoid traumatizing trainees.

Look for Warning Signs

In some cases of workplace violence, there were warning signs leading up to the attack. Identifying these red flags and taking appropriate action can mitigate the fallout. During training, staff should learn the most common signs of impending violence. 

• Threatening others
• Withdrawing from social circles
• Bragging about gun access
• Anger issues
• Excessive interest in gun violence

Bullying, primarily centered around race, gender identity, sexual orientation, and other protected classes, is also a major red flag. Make sure employees know how to report their concerns and keep whistleblower identities confidential to avoid putting them in danger. You also must plan to deal with these issues, including working with the police to remove individuals from the workplace.

Maintain Active Shooter Insurance

You can take all the precautions to catch early signs of potential violence. However, there’s always the chance that a situation will occur anyway. Some shooters attack randomly because something thwarted their previous plans or triggered their temper. If your agency, unfortunately, encounters this, the best they can do is respond. 

Active shooter/deadly weapon protection liability can make a difference in these situations. These policies offer a variety of coverage. Likewise, it includes loss of attraction and business interruption. It also covers physical property damage. Furthermore, the policy covers death benefits and funeral expenses, crisis management, and legal liability. 

This insurance also provides funds for medical expenses, including mental health treatment. Even if everyone in your agency emerges unharmed, experiencing an active shooter situation can negatively affect survivors, potentially leading to depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Staff will need help to rebuild their lives and sense of safety long after the physical reminders are gone.

About PGUI

Professional Governmental Underwriters, LLC., is a full-service risk management company dedicated to assisting public, educational and non-profit entities in the management of their professional liability exposures including educators liability insurance. We are dedicated to providing state-of-the-art professional underwriting management and loss control advisory services on behalf of our designated carriers. For more information, call us toll-free at (800) 586-6502.