Paul Davis recently held an Active Shooter Training at the company’s International Training Center in Jacksonville, FL. The objective of the training was to equip the Paul Davis team with essential strategies to stay safe in an emergency.
Lessons from Active Shooter Training: A Reality Check
“The training was more than just an informative session—it was an eye-opening experience. Many of us realized that what we had previously been taught or assumed to do in such a situation was completely incorrect,” said Stephanie Rosenstone, chief of staff to Rich Wilson, president and CEO. “One moment that stood out was when we were asked to react instinctively. Most of us hid under tables, only to have the “shooter” (armed with a Nerf gun) enter the dark room and ‘shoot’ each of us point-blank. It was a gut-wrenching realization—we had made ourselves sitting ducks.”
Afterward, the group had powerful discussions about the best escape routes and hiding spots, reinforcing what they had just learned.
Key Takeaways
- Evacuate if possible. Always be aware of potential exit routes. If a safe path is available, leave immediately.
- Hide effectively. If escape isn’t possible, secure doors, turn off lights, silence phones, and stay out of sight.
- Defend as a last resort. As a last resort, if your life is in imminent danger, act decisively – throw objects, yell, and incapacitate the shooter if necessary.
Training participant Kimberly Norman, senior executive assistant to COO, Mike Hopkins, shared, “I found the class to be extremely beneficial. I feel this training empowers individuals by equipping them with knowledge and skills to respond effectively during such incidents. Starting in grade school, we were always taught to hide under tables or desks during a potential threat, and like Stephanie explained, that is incorrect and that was an eye opener.”
Adrenaline Self Defense provided the training, which was based on the Department of Homeland Security training curriculum.
This training was a sobering but invaluable experience, demonstrating how preparedness can make all the difference.
“There is always a fear of being a victim of dreadful violence,” said Kimberly. “It is important to make yourself strong and resilient and capable enough to actively face a critical problem and survive. Preparedness can save lives. Stay vigilant, know your options, and be ready to respond effectively in an emergency.”
Scheduling active shooter training for organizations is a crucial step in ensuring workplace safety and preparedness. To schedule an Active Shooter Safety Training session for your team, you will want to choose a reputable program.
In the U.S., the FBI and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) offer training, with in person or virtual options available.
FBI Active Shooter Safety Resources – The FBI provides training and preparedness programs, including the Active Shooter Attack Prevention and Preparedness (ASAPP) course, which is a two-hour training session designed to help civilians respond effectively to active shooter incidents.
The Department of Homeland Security offers both in-person and virtual training sessions on emergency preparedness, violence prevention, and active shooter response.
Other programs you may wish to consider include:
A.L.I.V.E., which stands for Assess, Leave, Impede, Violence, and Expose, was created in 2014 by Michael Julian when he began teaching his Active Shooter Survival philosophy throughout the United States. His book on the subject, “10 Minutes to Live: Surviving an Active Shooter Using A.L.I.V.E.” was published in 2017.
ALICE Training is the original civilian active shooter response training program delivered with a trauma-informed approach in an age- and ability-appropriate way.
