Malik Faisal Akram died after taking four people in a Texas Synagogue hostage. All the hostages, thankfully, survived. It’s a horrible scenario that plays out far too often. While it’s unlikely that you will face a terrorist attack, you may be the target of workplace violence, from an angry employee or customer.
The people at Congregation Beth Israel, in Colleyville, Texas credit their survival to training. Lots of training. Rabbi Cytron-Walker said that he and his congregation took extensive security training. “We are alive today because of that education,” he told news outlets.
What this says to me is: There’s no such thing as being over-prepared–not for a meeting or a presentation and certainly not amid a violent attack. While you might think ensuring your employees’ safety isn’t your job, you’re wrong. Cytron-Walker and his congregation clearly saw the benefit of preparation and you can too.
Here’s what you need to do to prepare for a grave eventuality no one thinks will ever come:
To keep reading, and to see a video of me learning how to disarm someone, click here: The Texas Synagogue Survivors Say Training Was Key. Here’s What You Need to Know
Run. If you can safely get away from the scene, do so. On your way out, if you can let others know what’s going on, say, by yelling “active shooter!”, without unduly endangering them or yourself, do so. Once you are safe, call for help.
Hide. If you cannot get away from the scene, secrete yourself in a pre-planned hiding place. Place as many barriers as possible between yourself and the shooter. Turn out the lights, silence your phone, and plan what to do if the shooter comes into your space. Identify any items that you can use as weapons or to help you escape.
Fight. If confronted by the shooter, fight like your life depends on it, because it does.
I watched the video showing Suzanne in training. I have never handled a gun. It appears that I might accidentally shoot myself in the stomach if I accidentally touch the trigger. I guess I need live training! Many years ago, I took some self-defense training. I don’t think they mentioned guns at all. The best advice was to run away, if possible.