Situational Preparedness

The hope is that it never happens to you, but what if you find yourself in a public gathering and you hear gunshots?? The crowd panics and starts fleeing causing mass chaos.? What would you do???

First take preventive measures to make sure you are prepared and maybe even prevent yourself from being caught up in such a devastating event.??

Maintaining situational awareness is indeed crucial for personal safety and security. Being aware of your surroundings and paying attention to details such as who is around you, what they are doing, and where you are can help you identify potential risks or threats.

Recognizing unusual or suspicious behavior in others can give you valuable time to react or take preventive measures. Trusting your instincts and being prepared to respond to emergency situations, such as an active shooter scenario, is essential.

Having a mental plan in place for how you would react and where you would go in the event of an emergency can help you act quickly and decisively if the need arises. It's important to regularly review and update your emergency plan based on different scenarios and environments you may encounter. Additionally, being aware of emergency exits, safe areas, and evacuation routes can greatly enhance your ability to respond effectively in crisis situations.

Remember, while it's important to be prepared and vigilant, it's also crucial to stay calm and composed in emergency situations. Panic can impair your ability to think clearly and respond effectively. Practice situational awareness as a habit, and it will become second nature to you, helping to keep yourself and others safe in various situations.

In the alarming event of finding yourself in a public shooting situation, it's crucial to remain composed and take decisive actions to ensure your safety and that of others around you.

Here are some essential steps to follow:

Do Not Panic: It's natural to feel overwhelmed, but panicking can exacerbate the situation. Remain as calm as possible to think clearly and act decisively.

Get Low and Find Cover: Immediately get down on your hands and knees or squat low to the ground. Most shooters target individuals standing upright, so lowering your profile can reduce your risk of being hit. Seek cover behind solid objects made of thick wood or metal that can shield you from gunfire.

Locate the Shooter(s): While staying low, try to identify the location of the shooter(s) if possible. This information can help you make informed decisions about your next steps and potentially assist others in avoiding danger.

Back Away Safely: While maintaining cover between yourself and the shooter, begin to back away slowly to create distance. Stay low and move swiftly but cautiously to a safer location where you are out of the Senior Director of Business Development.

line of sight.

Contact Law Enforcement: As soon as it is safe to do so, notify local law enforcement about the unfolding incident. Even if you believe you haven't witnessed pertinent details, your presence at the scene makes you a valuable potential witness. Law enforcement will want to gather any information you have that could aid in their investigation.

Remember, the priority is to ensure your safety and the safety of those around you. By remaining calm, finding cover, and cooperating with law enforcement, you can contribute to a safer resolution to the situation.

Be safe out there and Keep Your Head on a Swivel.??

Tom Taylor is the Senior Director of Business Development for DMAC Security.??

With 16 years of experience in security, an additional 14 in law enforcement, and a distinguished background working with local, state, and federal agencies, he offers a wealth of expertise to his team. His accomplishments range from successfully securing grants for Child Advocacy Centers to conducting Criminal Investigations and Dignitary Protection Assignments, both domestically and internationally, while also significantly increasing revenue for previous companies in a short span of two years. Tom's leadership extends to creating and managing a national team for the sales and implementation of a pioneering SaaS platform in warehouse and security management. Now, in his role at DMAC, he focuses on driving strategic growth and cultivating client partnerships, promising impactful advancements in the security field.