To witness someone shooting at random is a frightening scene, but what do you do when an active shooter shows up at your office?
Members of Leadership Broward, a leadership development training group, came to Broward College’s Institute of Public Safety Thursday to learn how to improve their odds of surviving such a situation.
Fort Lauderdale Police Officer Thor Lockhart and his BC cadets gave demonstrations and discussed how no matter where you go, we are all vulnerable to danger.
“If the world is getting a lot more dangerous, what are we doing to deal with that danger? Are we preparing ourselves?” Lockhart asked. He added a final question: Are we creating a survival mindset?
SoFla Teachers Learn to Defend Against Active Shooters
Lockhart showed the class a Homeland Security video that emphasizes that people should have a plan for such situations.
Always be aware of your surroundings, Lockhart said. For example, if your desk is facing a wall use a mirror to see what’s going on behind you. Or if a gunman approaches you, look for an opportunity to use whatever you have around you to distract them and run for safety.
SoFla Schools To Review Safety Following Connecticut Shooting
Kat Goldman said the class was very beneficial to her.
“I think I’m definitely going to be more aware of my surroundings and also thinking about my spouse and my child and their location,” she said.
The active shooter training is designed to help remind people of their own natural survival instincts, so they can make it through dangerous situations.
“We try to make it as simple as possible,” Lockhart said. “We try to conduct the training at the venue where the participants actually are so it can make sense of what we teach.”
