Homeland Security - Active Shooter Seminars

About the Program

Category: Risk and Emergency Management (Best in Category)

Year: 2013

Historically, Oakland County has stressed the importance of partnering with employees and the community involving the communication of, planning for and responding to all hazards; from severe weather to acts of terrorism. Prior to the more recent active shooter tragedies, Oakland County Homeland Security proactively exceeded FEMA’s online resources by hosting seminars for employees, hospital, long-term health care facilities as well as schools. Emergency Management professionals and County Sheriff’s deputies described real events focusing on the response choices and first responder protocols. With over 520 County employees trained, the successful expansion to hospitals, long-term health care facilities and schools training schedule in place, demand spiked for additional training following the December 14 tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School. While continuing with already planned training sessions, the program was slightly modified to more thoroughly address specific circumstances within the school environment. Schools around the County began calling to arrange training sessions. Homeland Security partnered with the Oakland Intermediate School District to effectively coordinate the Active Shooter training program. Since January 2013, Homeland Security has conducted seven additional seminars for school personnel across the County; educating over 800 school administrators and staff involving the actions needed in the event of an active shooter.