Active Shooter Situations and Organizational Communication October 1, 2017 is one of the most recent dates that will be included in the history of the United States of America. October 1, 2017 is the day that the largest United States’ mass shooting occurred. On October 1, 2017, Stephen Paddock opened fire from the comforts of his hotel room at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada (Kreps, 2017). His targets were concert goers attending the Route 91 Harvest Festival. Paddock was able to be on the offense for a total of ten to fifteen minutes, and his spree left 58 people dead and 500 people injured (Kreps, 2017). Unfortunately, events such as the one previously described are becoming more and more common in the United
…show more content…
One way that organizations are preparing for active shooter situations is through establishing communication plans. Generally, these communication plans involve local law enforcement agencies, pre-recorded messages, and groups to make it easier to share information (Preparing, 2014). In addition to establishing communication protocol, many firms are either sending their employees to train or conducting their own training for active shooter situations. One of the most popular ways that organizations are preparing for active shooter situations is via practice exercises. For example, an organization may organize a “drill” where someone poses as an active shooter and members of the organization respond accordingly (Preparing, 2014). Once an organization trains their employees and develops a plan, they must commit themselves to evaluating their training and plans. It should be noted that entire communities are beginning to follow this approach (McKay, 2018).
Navigating Active Shooter …show more content…
In other words, the impact of an active shooter situation can reach far beyond the individual victims and witnesses, and in to the surrounding community. In the same way that victims and witnesses may feel a sense of insecurity or fear about returning to the location of the incident, since most targets are well-visited areas, members of the community who may have frequented the location of an active shooter situation may feel a sense of fear and anxiety when contemplating returning to the location. In addition, if the organization did not adequately prepare for the active shooter situation, or if they did not handle a certain aspect of the situation well, the organization’s image may suffer. Although the external impact is indirect in nature, it is still profitable for the organization to
One way that organizations are preparing for active shooter situations is through establishing communication plans. Generally, these communication plans involve local law enforcement agencies, pre-recorded messages, and groups to make it easier to share information (Preparing, 2014). In addition to establishing communication protocol, many firms are either sending their employees to train or conducting their own training for active shooter situations. One of the most popular ways that organizations are preparing for active shooter situations is via practice exercises. For example, an organization may organize a “drill” where someone poses as an active shooter and members of the organization respond accordingly (Preparing, 2014). Once an organization trains their employees and develops a plan, they must commit themselves to evaluating their training and plans. It should be noted that entire communities are beginning to follow this approach (McKay, 2018).
Navigating Active Shooter …show more content…
In other words, the impact of an active shooter situation can reach far beyond the individual victims and witnesses, and in to the surrounding community. In the same way that victims and witnesses may feel a sense of insecurity or fear about returning to the location of the incident, since most targets are well-visited areas, members of the community who may have frequented the location of an active shooter situation may feel a sense of fear and anxiety when contemplating returning to the location. In addition, if the organization did not adequately prepare for the active shooter situation, or if they did not handle a certain aspect of the situation well, the organization’s image may suffer. Although the external impact is indirect in nature, it is still profitable for the organization to