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by August Vernon: Debrief on mass violence and terrorism

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April 16, 2013

In light of the recent terrorist attack (attempted mass murder) in Boston. Reminder on these two no-cost/train-the-trainer programs. Obviously our thoughts and prayers go out to those impacted by this tragedy. Thanks again and be safe!

 

 

 

Terrorism Planning and Response for Mid- and Small-Size Public Safety Agencies http://www.fireengineering.com/training/ffsupport.html

 

 The Firefighters Support Foundation's (FSF) newest training program is now available. Terrorism Planning and Response for Mid- and Small-Size Public Safety Agencies addresses the role of public safety agencies in preparing for and responding to the grave potential threat of small-scale terrorism in the majority of the country. Not all terrorism incidents are of a 9/11 or Oklahoma City scale, and virtually every community has some potential target within its boundaries. The program consists of a one-hour video presentation and an accompanying 66-slide PowerPoint. Covered topics include: Who are the most likely threats for small and mid-size communities? What are the methods they employ? Why might your quiet, small community be a target? Pre-incident planning, Lessons learned, Incident response tactics, vehicle borne improvised explosive devices, and more.

 

 

 

Mass Casualty Emergency Care Program Available http://www.fireengineering.com/training/ffsupport.html   

 

The Firefighters Support Foundation's (FSF) newest training program is now available. Mass Casualty Emergency Care address the totally different approach that EMS personnel must take when responding to incidents of mass casualty. Unlike a typical accident or call, you will not want to take your jump bag or gurney into these scenes, and you will almost certainly be working alone rather than in pairs. This program shows medical responders how to effectively respond to a mass shooting or bombing, among other disasters. This program presents the basics of Tactical Casualty Combat Care (TCCC), an approach developed in combat zones over the last decade that has saved thousands of lives. It describes the basic operating tactics of TCCC, why traditional EMS responses are inappropriate, the gear and supplies you will need (which are not expansive), and the basic medical approach that will save the most lives in these situations. It also  demonstrates how you will be working with law enforcement at these dynamic scenes, often integrated into an armed escort team. The program consists of a 40-minute video presentation and an accompanying 60-slide PowerPoint.  The presenter is a commander of an major state police SWAT team, who has instituted TCCC in his team and taught it widely.


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March 27, 2013

The “Are You Prepared” Zombie 5k Run, Walk, Shuffle is a fundraising 5k and food drive that raises funds and food goods for the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC. You can choose to be a “zombie” or a “survivor” to run, walk, shuffle or slouch for this fun family event. The event is designed as a fun and informative way to highlight an “all-hazards” approach to emergency preparedness http://www.readyforsyth.org/ Event will include Law Enforcement Agencies, Fire Departments, EMS, Emergency Management, Volunteer Organizations, Non-Governmental Agencies, Response Teams, etc. Race registration available at http://ultimateracemanagement.com/

The public is invited to come and visit and run, walk or shuffle as their favorite zombie (zombie costumes encouraged, but not required) to check out emergency services displays, response vehicles and informational booths. There will be family 1 Mile and 5k run/walk, displays, activities, safety and preparedness information and more.

Assemble a home emergency kit with all the supplies you need to survive on your own for a minimum of three days, make an emergency plan and practice it with your family so everyone knows what to do. And those are the same preparations you make to be ready for hurricanes, tornadoes, severe storms, winter weather, floods, fires and any of the other disasters we can face in North Carolina. This is also a food drive for Second Harvest Food Bank to FILL THE TRUCK involving non-perishable food items. This is includes items such as canned vegetables, canned fruits, canned meats, pasta, rice, peanut butter, etc. grocery shopping, think of our neighbors who are hungry and grab a few non-perishables to take to the race for the Second Harvest Food Bank! Visit http://www.readyforsyth.org/ and race registration available at http://ultimateracemanagement.com/  


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March 19, 2013

Morbid find suggests murder-obsessed gunman Adam Lanza plotted Newtown, Conn.'s Sandy Hook massacre for years

 

Law enforcement reportedly discovers a sickeningly thorough 7-foot-long, 4-foot-wide spreadsheet with names, body counts and weapons from previous mass murders and even attempted killings. 'It sounded like a doctoral thesis, that was the quality of the research,' an anonymous law enforcement veteran said.

 

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/lupica-lanza-plotted-massacre-years-article-1.1291408


1 comment
March 12, 2013

This is not just in Michigan. Schools have been asking what else they can do and I tell them to focus on the basic. Crisis plans, crisis teams, drills, reassess security measures, tabletops, etc.

 

 

 

Michigan schools cut corners, break laws on safety drills: A failure to focus on fundamentals

 

 

 

Many Michigan schools are cutting corner and violating both the spirit and letter of state laws on school crisis drills, according to an investigative report by MLive news reporters.

A multi-month extensive review of thousands of public records found fire, lockdown, and other drills not being done, not done enough times, and done too late in the school year to be of much help at more than 400 schools across the state. The investigation also revealed what we have been saying now for years: That schools avoid conducting drills during lunch periods and other times inconvenient to adults, but critical for preparing to make schools safer.

Mandatory records were not fully completed or were missing. Many principals and superintendents did not know the laws’ requirements or found them inconvenient. In one case, documents appeared falsified, according to the report.

Michigan laws require six fire drills, two lockdown drills and two tornado drills per school year. At least some of the 10 drills must be done during recess, lunch, class change or another time when most students are not in class, the story noted.

The entire series of statewide stories can be found at MLive.com.

This excellent investigation reinforces what I have long said: State laws may require schools to conduct drills, but there are typically few carrots and no sticks (no consequences) that go along with the state mandates. The result is that far too many school administrators focus on checking off boxes that drills were completed rather than conducting drills in a manner most effective for truly improving school emergency preparedness.

The stories also reinforce a point I have repeatedly stressed following the Sandy Hook school shootings: While school safety discussions have focused on extreme, highly-questionable ideas like arming teachers and teaching kids to attack armed intruders, far too many schools continue to fail to focus on implementing the fundamental best practices of of school safety, security, and emergency preparedness.

It is highly likely that the MLive.com investigation could be replicated and have the same findings in most states across the nation.

If schools administrators refuse to follow the spirit and letter of state laws for conducting fire, lockdown,  and tornado drills, what makes supporters of extreme ideas like arming teachers and teaching kids to attack armed intruders believe that those questionable approaches would come close to being safely and effectively implemented?

Ken Trump

 

 


1 comment
March 11, 2013

Excellent video. This addresses the serious topic of law enforcement and Fire/EMS working together (still a serious lack of). This is what we have been stressing in dozens of classes over the years for thousands of students!  

 

 

Part of the TCM "Emerging Threats" Module, the "Active Shooter" segment discusses strategies and communication structures employed by first responders in the event of a chaotic and dangerous active shooter incident.  An active shooter incident could happen in any community in America.  In hostile environments like this it is essential that police and fire service personnel can work together.  The paradigm has shifted for the fire service, making it crucial to be prepared to respond to hostile shooters and other emerging threats.

 

http://www.cffjac.org/go/jac/media-center/video-gallery/tcm-active-shooter-scenario/


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March 02, 2013

For distribution.

New Free Terrorism Planning and Response for Mid- and Small-Size Public Safety Agenciess Program Available.

The Firefighters Support Foundation’s (FSF) newest training program is now available. Terrorism Planning and Response for Mid- and Small-Size Public Safety Agencies address the role of public safety agencies in preparing for and responding to the grave potential threat of small-scale terrorism in the majority of the country.Not all terrorism incidents are of a 9/11 or Oklahoma City scale, and virtually every community has some potential targetwithin its boundaries.The program consists of a one-hour video presentation and an accompanying 66-slide PowerPoint.

Covered topics include: Who are the most likely threats for small and mid-size communities?What are the methods they employ?Why might your quiet, small community be a target?Pre-incident planning, lessons learned, incident response tactics, Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices, and more.

The program is free to all members of public safety andemergency management agencies.Simply go to www.ffsupport.org to download your copy.

###

 

About the Firefighters Support Foundation

The Firefighters Support Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization dedicated to assisting firefighters, emergency management, EMS, and Search & Rescue personnel perform their jobs effectively and safely.We also set aside a portion of our funds to aid underfunded agencies and assist families of fallen firefighters.


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February 28, 2013

Excellent audio discussion of the report.
 
 
A Complete Analysis of Terrorism Offences
In recent years, several individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds have attempted to attack the United States on behalf of al-Qaeda. These individuals have defied easy categorization, creating challenges for intelligence, law enforcement, and other agencies tasked with countering their activities.
 


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February 11, 2013

SSI Active Shooter Webinar: Is there an answer?

With several tragedies claiming the nation’s attention is there any reasonable response to a  person who is either crazy or ideologically motivated or both and intent on killing and maiming people?

https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/872868520 


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February 07, 2013

Fire departments are an integral part of any mass-shooting response. As such, chiefs should partner with local law-enforcement agencies that can train firefighters to respond with a higher level of situational awareness.

 

http://firechief.com/mass-casualty/preparing-fire-agencies-mass-shooting-response 


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