open access
Active shooters — how close are they?
open access
Abstract
Recent terrorist attacks in the United States, Canada and Western Europe have shown an increase in the incidence of “Active Shooters” [1]. These ruthless and desperate assassins usually attack urban and poorly protected areas (lack of armed protection) that are densely populated [2]. Utilizing their strength, they realize that their plan is to maximize the number of casualties, without counting on the consequences of their actions. The basis of their action may be based on extremely radical views. Frequent outcomes for active shooters include suicide during an attack (90%) or the resolution of the threat by the authorities [3]. In response to the ever-increasing number of assassinations and the risk of such incidents in one’s immediate surroundings, comprehensive education should be widely spread. Thus, it is important to promote appropriate behaviour, rules of reaction during an attack by an armed assailant, as well as cooperation with incoming service personnel. Such actions will not only help one prevent, but also allow one to prepare for such incidences.
Abstract
Recent terrorist attacks in the United States, Canada and Western Europe have shown an increase in the incidence of “Active Shooters” [1]. These ruthless and desperate assassins usually attack urban and poorly protected areas (lack of armed protection) that are densely populated [2]. Utilizing their strength, they realize that their plan is to maximize the number of casualties, without counting on the consequences of their actions. The basis of their action may be based on extremely radical views. Frequent outcomes for active shooters include suicide during an attack (90%) or the resolution of the threat by the authorities [3]. In response to the ever-increasing number of assassinations and the risk of such incidents in one’s immediate surroundings, comprehensive education should be widely spread. Thus, it is important to promote appropriate behaviour, rules of reaction during an attack by an armed assailant, as well as cooperation with incoming service personnel. Such actions will not only help one prevent, but also allow one to prepare for such incidences.
Keywords
active shooter, terrorist attack, safety, tactical medicine, run, hide, fight
About this articleTitle
Active shooters — how close are they?
Journal
Disaster and Emergency Medicine Journal
Issue
Pages
69-73
Published online
2017-05-24
DOI
10.5603/DEMJ.2017.0014
Bibliographic record
Disaster Emerg Med J 2017;2(2):69-73.
Keywords
active shooter
terrorist attack
safety
tactical medicine
run
hide
fight
Authors
Marek Dabrowski
Maciej Sip
Dariusz Rogozinski
Bogdan Serniak
Dawid Czarny
Tomasz Sanak
References (13)- Active Shooter guidelines for places of mass gathering, Australia-New Zealand Counter-Terrorism Committee. April 2015.
- Kelly RW. Active Shooter Recommendations and Analisis for Risk Mitigation. New York City Police Department, 2012.
- French G. Single Person Response To Active Shooter? http://churchsecuritymember.com/single-person-response-to-active-shooter/ (15.03.2017).
- MSA Worldview, Special Analysis: The Active Shooter Threat 2012.
- Hołyst B, Staniaszek M, Binczycka-Anholcer M. Samobójstwo. Wydawnictwo Polskie Towarzystwo Higieny Psychicznej, Warszawa 2002: 70.
- Małysa T. Konfrontacja z aktywnym strzelcem. e-terroryzm.pl. Internetowy biuletyn Centrum Studiów nad Terroryzmem i kwartalnika e-studia nad Bezpieczeństwem i Terroryzmem 2012; 7. https://www.google.pl/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0ahUKEwjp1Zv90vHTAhVjYZoKHcJiD0wQFggiMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fe-terroryzm.pl%2F%3Fwpdmact%3Dprocess%26did%3DNy5ob3RsaW5r&usg=AFQjCNEdDwsK0frlchtL5_Av7Db9TjLJSw&cad=rja (15.03.2017).
- Active shooter how to respond, U.S. Department of Homeland Security. https://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/active_shooter_booklet.pdf (15.03.2017).
- Kelly , Kenneth T, Ed D. Campus readiness for dealing with an active shooter. California State University, Long Beach. 2015; 131: 3712515.
- Osborne J, Capellan J. Examining active shooter events through the rational choice perspective and crime script analysis. Security Journal. 2015.
- Improving Active Shooter/ Hostile Event Response, Best Practices and Recommendations for Integrating Law Enforcement, Fire and EMS, A Raport Compiled By The Inter Agency Board. September 2015.
- Butler FK. Two Decades of Saving Lives on the Battlefield: Tactical Combat Casualty Care Turns 20. Mil Med. 2017; 182(3): e1563–e1568.
- Wands B. Guest Editorial: Active Shooter: Are We Complacent? AANA J. 2016; 84(6): 388–390.
- Sanak T, Dabrowski M, Kominek P, et al. The idea of the rescue task force for Emergency Medical Services Teams: The future or the present urgent to implement? Emerg Med Serv (Aluna). 2016; 4: 263–268.