Developing an Active Shooter Prevention Program for Healthcare

Course Description

This webinar will identify and discuss the likelihood of an active shooter situation occurring in a healthcare environment, as well as the factors that may increase the risk of such an event. It will examine contributing factors and identify methods for assessing and measuring active shooter risks within a facility.

The webinar will demonstrate how crisis and response planning for active shooter situations should be viewed through the lens of existing emergency preparedness and crisis response frameworks. Specific facility characteristics, including size and complexity, will also be considered.

Much of the program will focus on developing a multidisciplinary approach to preparedness and response, including formulating specific roles and training requirements for each department and its personnel. This includes reviewing both department-specific training and the general training needed for all staff, along with guidance on how such training should be developed, delivered, and documented.

Additional aspects of preparation and response will also be addressed, including post-incident needs, formal and informal debriefs, law enforcement response, and post-incident process improvements.

Processes for real-time notification and interdepartmental coordination will be identified. The role of training and assessment drills will be discussed, including both their positive and negative aspects. All elements of response planning and plan evaluation will be reviewed.

An in-depth look at essential training elements will be provided, with practical examples discussed throughout. Communication strategies and overall planning considerations will be integrated into the program.

Lastly, the immediate, short-term, and long-term needs of the organization, staff, and patients following an incident will be reviewed.

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Learning Outcomes

• Identification of the likelihood of an active shooter situation based on an assessment.
• Identifying the key departments that have responsibility for communication during an active shooter situation.
• Identifying the training needs for each department, especially those with response responsibilities during an active shooter situation.
• Identifying the training needed by each employee and the ongoing communication and training required to ensure timely response during this infrequent situation.
• Identifying facility-specific risk factors that may increase vulnerability to an active shooter event.
• Understanding the role of emergency preparedness plans in active shooter response and crisis management.
• Identifying strategies for real-time notification and interdepartmental coordination during an incident.
• Recognizing the importance of drills and exercises in evaluating active shooter preparedness and response plans.
• Understanding post-incident response requirements, including debriefing, staff support, and operational recovery.
• Identifying opportunities for continuous improvement and post-incident plan modification following an active shooter event.

Areas Covered in the Session

• Risks and Assessment
• Department Responsibilities
• Department-Level Training
• Establishing Initial and Redundant Communication
• Coordination with Law Enforcement
• Documentation and Debriefing
• Accounting for Immediate, Mid-Term, and Long-Term Needs
• Facility-Specific Vulnerability Analysis
• Emergency Response Planning and Preparedness Integration
• Post-Incident Review and Continuous Improvement
• Live Q&A Session

Recommended Participants

• Hospital Leadership
• Communications Personnel
• Security Professionals
• Risk Managers
• Training Staff
• Emergency Preparedness Coordinators
• Safety and Compliance Officers
• Human Resources Personnel
• Department Managers and Supervisors
• Facilities and Operations Management

About the Presenter

Mike Cummings, CPP, is a 50-year veteran of the private security industry, including the last 37 years dedicated to the healthcare sector. He led the security program for the largest healthcare provider in Wisconsin for more than 30 years before launching his healthcare security consulting firm in January 2018, where he continues to serve as Principal Consultant.

Mike has held the Certified Protection Professional (CPP) designation—board certification in security management—since 1987. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from Marquette University and a Master of Arts in Business and Organizational Security Management from Webster University.

He has been an active member of ASIS International since 1976 and the International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety (IAHSS) since 1985, serving in numerous volunteer leadership roles within both organizations.

Additional Information

Snippets From Our Previous Session