Fight, Flight, or Freeze?
Estimated Reading Time: 3 minutes
By Arley Turner
Resource Type: Risk eNews
Topic: Business Continuity Planning, Crisis Management, Crisis Communications
Does your organization have a well thought-out plan to address the risk of an active shooter on your premises? For many organizations, the default response is to implement a “lockdown,” or immediately freeze all activities and shelter in place while waiting for police and emergency assistance. In practice, this approach is straightforward and can be ordered without delay, but when the risk of staying put might compromise safety, is this truly the best course of action?
Every organization has unique considerations and factors that should be considered in planning for emergencies. At the Center we refer to these considerations as the “context” or “backdrop” for risk assessment and risk management planning. For example, an organization that relies on adult staff trained in CPR and emergency management in a secure group home or domestic violence shelter is likely to have a different view and different degree of readiness to handle an emergency compared to an organization that relies on teenage volunteers to oversee recreational activities. While having a simple go-to plan in the event of a violent incident sounds simple and therefore ideal, most situations are very complex, and no two are ever exactly alike. In response to this, and based on a review of past incidents, the experts at the ALICE Institute believes that a more nuanced approach is required. The ALICE Institute delivers training based on the five functions it believes are essential to managing an active shooter emergency: 1. alert, 2. lockdown, 3. inform, 4. counter and 5. evacuate.
How do these five functions differ from our fight, flight and freeze instincts?
- Fight – ALICE training encourages leaders in the midst of an active shooter event to “counter” rather than “fight.” Countering the circumstances instigated by a shooter involves taking control of the situation away from the shooter. “Counter” strategies include creating noise, distractions, and movement while distancing yourself from the shooter as much as possible. The ALICE Institute experts caution that “counter” is a last response for staff in a confined space with an active shooter.
- Flight – ALICE Training reminds leaders that evacuating any building where an active shooter is present should be a top priority. To “evacuate” staff, volunteers and clients safely you’ll need to have clear channels of communication, including the ability to “alert” personnel that an active shooter is on premises, and if possible, “inform” personnel about the location of the shooter.
- Freeze – ALICE Training notes that if and when a “lockdown” is the best course of action, personnel need to know proper barricade techniques. Placing furniture, such as tables and bookcases behind doors, may not create an effective barricade. Train your staff to secure furniture and items used to create a barricade with readily available resources, such as shoelaces and power chords. “Lockdown” is the right option if a shooter is very near your location, or if the shooter’s location in the building is unknown.
For information about the Nonprofit Risk Management Center, visit www.https://nonprofitrisk.org/ or call 703.777.3504.
“First let me congratulate you on a conference well done. I had a great time at the Nonprofit Employee Benefits Conference and walked away with some valuable tools and questions that we’ll need to be addressing in both the short and long term. Thanks to you and your staff for all you do to provide us with quality resources in support of our missions.”
— Scott Brown, Mohonk Preserve
“BBYO’s engagement of the Center to conduct a risk assessment was one of the most valuable processes undertaken over the past five years. Numerous programmatic and procedural changes were recommended and have since been implemented. Additionally, dozens (literally) of insurance coverage gaps were identified that would never have been without the work of the Center. This assessment led to a broker bidding process that resulted in BBYO’s selection of a new broker that we have been extremely satisfied with. I unconditionally recommend the Center for their consultative services.
— Sidney Abrams, BBYO
“Melanie Herman has provided expert, insightful, timely and well resourced information to our Executive Team and Board of Directors. Our corporation recently experienced massive growth through merger and the Board has been working to better integrate their expanded set of roles and responsibilities. Melanie presented at our Annual Board of Director’s Retreat and captured the interest of our Board members. As a result of her excellent presentation the Board has engaged in focused review which is having immediate effects on governance.”
— Pamela Mattel, Basics Promesa Systems Inc
“The Nonprofit Risk Management Center has been an outstanding partner for us. They are attentive to our needs, and work hard to successfully meet our requests for information. Being an Affiliate member gave us access to so many time- and money-saving resources that it easily paid for itself! Nonprofit Risk Management Center is truly a valued partner of The Community Foundation of Elkhart County and we are continuously able to optimize staff time with the support given by their team.”
— Jodi Spataro, Community Foundation of Elkhart County
“The board and staff of the Prince George’s Child Resource Center are extremely pleased with the results of the risk assessment conducted by the Nonprofit Risk Management Center. A thorough scan revealed that while we are a well run organization, we had risks that we never imagined. We are grateful to know that we have now minimized our organizational risks and we recommend the Center to other nonprofits.”
— Marti Worshtil, Prince George’s Child Resource Center
Great American Insurance Group’s Specialty Human Services is committed to protecting those who improve your communities. The Center team has committed to delivering dynamic risk management solutions tailored to nonprofit organizations. These organizations have many and varied risk issues, hence the need for specialized coverage and expert knowledge for their protection. We’ve had Melanie speak on several occasions to employees and our agents. She is always on point and delivers such great value. Thank you for the terrific partnership and allowing our nonprofits to focus on their mission!