Advertise
Resources
Member, Beacon International Group, Ltd.
Incidents involving “active shooters” — individuals who are actively engaged in killing people in confined and populated areas — are increasing, and retailers and restaurants must develop plans to be prepared for these events, says Marsh L.L.C. in a briefing.
Between 2000 and 2012, there were 110 shooter events in the United States, according to the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training Center at Texas State University in San Marcos, says the briefing issued Thursday.
The frequency seems to be increasing, though, the briefing says. While there were 47 active shooter events from 2000 to 2008, or an average of 5.2 per year, this increased to 63 such events between 2009 and 2012, or 15.8 per year, says the briefing, which observes that an incident can occur in less than 15 minutes. More than 160 people were shot and 80 killed in 2012 alone, says the report.
Incidents occurred most frequently at businesses, which accounted for 40% of the total, followed by schools, which accounted for 29%, says the report.
“Organizations’ emergency plans should include procedures for reporting and reacting to an active shooter event,” says the report. “Such plans should provide clear guidance on what employees should and should not do in an emergency situation.”
These plans should reflect input from stakeholders including risk management and safety officers, human resources and property or mall management, if applicable, the briefing says.
“It is vital that these plans be well-tested ahead of an event and that all employees understand their specific roles and responsibilities,” the report says.
The plans should also address communications, the issue of sheltering in place vs. evacuation, working with law enforcement and identifying threats, the briefing says.
The briefing also recommends retailers and restaurants understand what insurance coverage may apply, and to take appropriate action to prepare for claims following a shooting.