Lockdown readiness saves lives

Published Aug. 17, 2012
By Airman 1st Class Ryan Throneberry
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- A hooded man walks into the headquarters building. The quiet of midday is suddenly shattered by loud booms and thuds heard through the hall ... it sounds like gunfire. Someone runs past your door, screaming "he's got a gun!" A gunman sporadically opens fire into workstations and offices nearby with wild abandon. Are you prepared for this?

Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst is set to commence the semi-annual active shooter exercise Sept. 20 here.

The exercise tests the joint base's ability to respond to an active-shooter event, similar to the attack at Fort Hood, Texas, when a gunman opened fire in 2009.

A "lockdown" is just one element of an active-shooter response.

Lockdown is defined in the Department of Defense Antiterrorism Vulnerability Assessment Benchmarks as:

"A temporary sheltering technique that personnel will perform for 30 minutes to several hours, utilized to limit exposure to an active shooter or similar incident. When alerted, occupants of any building within the subject area will lock all doors and windows not, allowing entry or exit to anyone until the all clear has been sounded. This procedure converts any building into a large safe room. Lockdown procedures are used in an attempt to minimize the risk of violence and increase the safety of installation personnel by restricting access and visibility to a threatening person or event, internal or external to the installation."

The three options for base personnel in this eventuality include: evacuate, hide out or take action.

"The key components to a lockdown are staying calm and safe," said Officer John Russo, 87th Security Force Squadron training section instructor. "No one expects you to be a "hero" so if you can get away safely, do so. Take action as a 'last resort' against the shooter."

Active-shooter situations are unpredictable and evolve quickly. An immediate response by law enforcement is typically required to stop shooting and mitigate harm to victims.

All leaders and individuals should ensure the following actions are taken when they receive a lockdown order:

· Secure personnel and the location.
· Mitigate the danger by locking doors and windows (barricade room if possible), limit movement and turn off the lights to make the location appear unoccupied.
· Look for ingress and egress routes.
· Assess the situation and the location.
· Account for personnel.
· Remain in place until the "all clear" is given.

"The training builds memories, what works in real time and what does not work," said Russo. "It answers the question, 'What am I capable of doing?' The training should provide an idea of what to expect when first responders and rescue personnel arrive on-scene."

Training for similar real-world situations is practiced by all DOD installations.
Bob Scherer, 87th Air Base Wing Plans and Evaluations Office Exercise Evaluation Team chief said no other event may be as important as the active-shooter exercise in saving lives.

"We practice this twice a year in hopes we don't have to use it," he said. "But in the event our participants are ever involved in a tragedy such as the Fort Hood incident, I want our folks to be prepared. The exercise truly could save lives."

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