Response to Mass Shootings in the Event Industry: Safety Plans & Active Shooter Preparedness

. As event planners, our focus is centered around the event attendees. What they will eat, what music they will hear, how they will arrive, how they will exit. Millions of scenarios go through our head as we run through the event from an attendee perspective, finding and filling any logistical holes. From weather to security, almost every situation with a potential threat can be managed, but how do you plan for the risk of an active shooter?

The number of mass shootings in the U.S. continues to rise, as locations have ranged from schools to restaurants to now outdoor events. Known as the largest incident in the country, last year’s shooting at the Route 91 Music Festival in Las Vegas, Nevada has prompted the event industry to acknowledge a new potential threat.

Outdoor festival promoters have since implemented increased security, but some say that the risk itself isn’t completely avoidable. That unsettling truth could leave planners and attendees feeling vulnerable.

So, what can you do?

Police departments and schools across the country engage in active shooter training to teach the proper response to a situation. Our team joined other event professionals in our area for Active Shooter Survival Training, a free session offered by the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department. The class outlined the ABC’S Plan, which focused on effective responses that could potentially save your life and the lives of others.

Contrary to popular belief – or popular instinct, hiding is the least effective way to respond in an active shooter situation. “There’s no guarantee that any response will save your life,” the officer said. “But you at least want to give yourself a fighting chance.”

Avoid – Run, walk, jump. Engage in any sort of movement that makes you a difficult target, while getting you further away from the situation.

Barricade – If your only option is to remain stationary, find a way to firmly barricade yourself within a room or space.

Counter – If you are faced with an active shooter, knowing how to calmly respond or strategically attack could save your life.

Survive – Basic first aid knowledge could help a victim survive long enough for an emergency response team to arrive.

Security and Safety Plans

Referencing past tragedies that involved large numbers of people or busy spaces, the training allowed us to think in terms of our events. As part of any planning process, a crucial step is developing a security and safety plan. Your event should plan for not only an active shooter situation but also weather and other security emergencies. The extensiveness of your plan depends on the scope of the event, but working with all parties involved will ensure you cover all your bases.

Establish a strong point of communication with your venue. Make sure to know the location of all emergency exits, first aid kits, etc. The representative should have the most amount of knowledge about the venue, allowing them to assist with attendees in case of an emergency. The venue will also have its own security plan established. Become familiar with the plan and adapt the event security plan accordingly.

Regardless of the size or scope of the event, have a process to collect attendee information prior to its start. With advanced registration technology, information can be stored and should be readily available onsite. Include additional fields as necessary, such as cell phone numbers, emergency contact information, and advanced personal information.

Keep a detailed record of all vendors involved in the event. Communicate with each vendor on the backend. Know when they will arrive, how long they are staying,  names of their onsite staff, and a contact phone number. This information should also be readily available onsite. When notifying parties of any safety and security plan, remember to include vendors.

Interested in participating or hosting a class? The Department of Homeland Security offers Active Shooter Preparedness workshops, as well as a number of resources. You can also check with your local police department to see if they offer a training session.

To participate in a free Active Shooter Training class in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, contact CMPD Officer Jonathan Frisk jfrisk@cmpd.org