RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
Due to Randolph's large base population and the feedback received from Airmen and civilian workers, mandatory Active Shooter briefings given by the 902nd Security Forces Squadron that started in April will continue through September.
"The squadron highly encourages base personnel to also invite family members to these briefings, as the information provided can be applied no matter where you're located, whether it is on or off base, military or family member," said Tech. Sgt. Bruce Harrison, 902nd SFS NCO-in-charge of training.
Sergeant Harrison said all briefings will be held at the Base Theater and commanders are encouraged to promote maximum attendance.
The briefings will be given at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. June 30, July 14, July 28, Aug. 4, Aug. 18, Sept. 1 and Sept. 15.
Sergeant Harrison said the briefings aim to get attendees to ask themselves questions.
"Military personnel and military bases are equally as vulnerable to an active shooter situation as much as civilian communities are," he commented, "as the tragic events of November 2009 demonstrated. We want people asking themselves on the way into this briefing if they are prepared - if they know what personal protective measures they can take to reduce their risk of being shot, or worse, being killed."
Sergeant Harrison cited a sobering statistic that he thinks is pertinent for all briefing attendees to bear in mind. He said from the time of an active shooter's first shot until his eventual incapacitation, three to four minutes usually elapse, with the shooter having shot another person every 15 seconds.
He added the most impressive response time to an active shooter confirmed by a police agency was five to six minutes. This data resulted from a five-year collection effort obtained from 24 school shootings in 12 states.
"This equates to about 16 to 24 people shot in the first four to six minutes before law enforcement arrives on-scene," the sergeant explained.
He added that as a result, potential victims need to know how and when to take immediate, well-rehearsed protective actions that can protect themselves until officers arrive on the scene.
Staff Sgt. Samson McFarland, 902nd SFS training NCO and instructor involved in preparing the briefings, said that since the Fort Hood incident, active shooter training has become formalized.
"Now our response to incidents like this is more codified, strategized and organized. So in our briefing, we will tell the base's populace what they should expect from us and we'll tell them what we expect from them," he explained.
For more information on active shooter briefings, call Tech. Sgt. Harrison at 652-5564.