EMS Response to Mass Violence

What should you know to keep you and your fellow responders safe?

www.emsresponder.com/print/EMS-Magazine/EMS-Response-to-Mass-Violence/1$12663

Emmitsburg, MD - The United States Fire Administration (USFA) released today a new technical report titled Northern Illinois University Shooting. On February 14, 2008, a former Northern Illinois University (NIU) graduate student walked onto the stage of a large lecture hall and began firing on startled students and faculty. The shooter, a 28-year old male, had a history of mental illness. He shot and killed five students and wounded 18, some critically. His suicide at the end of the brief attack brought the number of deaths to six.

From every after-action report this potentially devastating situation was handled with the highest levels of skill and expertise. The multiagency cooperation in response in Dekalb was virtually a textbook application of Unified Command and the NIMS. The key element contributing to the success of operations was NIU had a very well-defined plan that was exercised routinely. University and local first response leadership made a commitment to prepare and train for such an event following the 2007 Virgina Tech shooting.

The USFA develops reports on selected major incidents throughout the country. The incidents usually involve multiple deaths or a large loss of property, but the primary criterion for deciding to write a report is whether it will result in significant lessons learned. Under this project, USFA also develops special reports addressing a variety of issues that affect the fire service such as homeland security and disaster preparedness, new technologies, training, fireground tactics, and firefighter safety and health.

For additional information regarding this report, or other USFA Technical Reports, visit the Publications section of the USFA Web site at www.usfa.dhs.gov

Targeted Violence Affecting Institutions of Higher Education

http://www.secretservice.gov/ntac.shtml

The June 2007 Report to the President on Issues Raised by the Virginia Tech Tragedy included a recommendation that the U.S. Secret Service, the U.S. Department of Education and the Federal Bureau of Investigation explore the issue of violence at institutions of higher education. This collaborative effort examines the scope of the problem of targeted violence at U.S. institutions.

In total, 272 incidents were identified through a comprehensive search of more than 115,000 results in open-source reporting from 1900 to 2008. The incidents studied include various forms of targeted violence, ranging from domestic violence to mass murder. The findings should be useful for campus safety professionals charged with identifying, assessing and managing violent risk at institutions of higher education.

http://www.secretservice.gov/ntac.shtml

First Responder Safety at a Small Aircraft or Helicopter Accidents

Not typically related to mass violence or terrorism but a great resource for first responders and emergency management personnel. No-cost online course for first responders. Especially for those in big or small airport areas and flight path locations.

http://www.faa.gov/aircraft/gen_av/first_responders/

Information and Intelligence Sharing Systems

There are numerous Web sites related to information sharing. The following list of sites is provided by the National Criminal Intelligence Resource Center (NCIRC). Some of these sites are available to emergency management officials at the local, state and federal level.

http://sharingsystems.ncirc.gov/

Active Shooter: Tri-fold Brochure for Response

In aftermath of the Fort Hood shootings, Air Force Education andTraining command officials emphasize vigilance and readiness to respondto unexpected life-threatening events. They issued tri-fold brochurefor training, education and response.

http://www.military-writers.com/active_shooter_aetc_response.html